Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I said, so we are about $249 million away from having a highway of national standards. We are spending this year, on the Highway No. 3 portion only, $6 million. It is going to take an awfully long time to attain national standards on that highway. I am hoping that the Minister will make sure that he really works to bring the story to his colleagues across Canada to demonstrate that our need is significant. I have no doubt that there are similar needs, particularly in northern parts of provinces and the other northern territories. Perhaps, not only should we be lobbying for a significant portion of the $600 million, but I would like to hear that the Minister will work with other transportation Ministers to put on the table for First Ministers meetings the issue of the National Highway Program and whether or not the monies are adequate for that. I think we need to see an awful lot more than $600 million.
This money typically turns into construction jobs that Northerners can fill, or people, wherever the money is being spent. This is an important economic initiative and I would like to see its profile raised. Will the Minister commit to working with his colleagues across Canada to do that?