Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have made statements in this House about maintaining our highways in the Northwest Territories, and I have made reference to the calcium program. Mr. Speaker, I say this in regard to the possible savings, that this project will be not only beneficial to myself in my riding, but beneficial to the North as a whole in saving money in the long term for this government. The savings, Mr. Speaker, would be in the reduced cost of blading the highways and maintaining roads at the present time. It will also improve the costs that are associated with the purchase of gravel which is put on the road and most times is blown off the road because of it being loose. Any traffic going down the road will remove that gravel and it will be put the ditch. Also, there is a question of public safety. Mr. Speaker, I have made statements concerning the question of saving lives. The cost of accidents that occur on our highways because of the loose gravel is also going to be a savings to this government. The other question that I really never mentioned, but we have to take into consideration, is the wear and tear on people's vehicles, the cost of replacing windshields and tires and also damages to peoples' trailers, boats and snowmobiles that may be towed at the back of a vehicle.

The calcium road treatment, Mr. Speaker, has to be considered in regard to the savings to this government. It will reduce the cost of blading. It will reduce the cost of purchasing gravel. It will also reduce the incidents of accidents on our highways, and it will reduce the cost of wear and tear on vehicles. One thing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make Members aware of is, there are also the economic benefits that come with improving our highway systems in the Northwest Territories. That is, Mr. Speaker, it will increase the number of tourists because of the better road conditions and also improve the cost of moving goods and services to the clients and the residents of the Mackenzie Delta from the south.

Another thing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make Members aware, that only 13 percent of the Dempster Highway is presently being resurfaced or calcium is being applied to it. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to complete my statement.