Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advise the House that the Mackenzie River ice bridge on Highway No. 3 to Fort Providence, Rae-Edzo and Yellowknife is deteriorating at a rate faster than in recent years. Residents and businesses north of the Mackenzie River have benefited, in recent years, from the ice bridge remaining open until mid-April. The earliest recorded closure was on April 12, 1996.

Mr. Speaker, this year, warm temperatures and rain showers at the crossing will likely force a closure, as soon as this weekend. I regret to say that when Mother Nature brings warmer weather, there are no practical, cost-effective means of keeping the ice bridge open. If weather conditions change and the temperature falls, the Department of Transportation will keep the ice bridge open as long as safely possible.

Mr. Speaker, the department encourages highway travelers to contact the toll-free highway information line to confirm conditions before they begin their trip. The information line is updated as conditions change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.