Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Minister used a word I would like to repeat, serviceable. Starting July 20, the population of Fort Resolution is expected to quadruple. Many of those individuals will be driving into the community. I would like to get some kind of commitment that the Minister is going to ensure that highway is given a good once-over prior to that date and maintenance for the rest of the month, in terms of dust control, et cetera. Can the Minister give me that commitment?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Knowing the fiscal situation of this government, the lack of financial resources of the department, there is not going to be chip-seal on that highway for a long time. I requested the department have a good look at certain portions of the road where the road is lower than the lake level, to look at some trenching to be done so the water can naturally flow. Can the Minister have a look at that? That will save a lot of dollars down the road in maintenance. It is a safety issue. Once we do have the money, we are almost ready to start chip-sealing in those portions. Has the Minister considered that and come up with any kind of decision on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that. I appreciate that the department is going to have a look at it and I appreciate the commitment by the Minister. I would like to turn my attention to Highway No. 3.

The Member responsible for Highway No. 3 is not in the House, but I am sure she will hear about this. It is a safety issue. It does not matter whose constituents ride that road. If it is a safety issue, I think we have to deal with it. I have ridden that road on a number of occasions and it is rough. If people's lives are in danger, then we should address that. I am speaking particularly of the non-construction zone of Highway No. 3 between here and the end of construction. It is rough. Some areas are narrow and not passable. I think the people travelling that road, people predominantly from Rae-Edzo, Yellowknife and people from Fort Providence, a number of my constituents, use that road and are doing more in filling those potholes with the rubber from their tires and the broken glass from the windshields than the whole department is doing in maintenance.

I do not think that is right. I think the department should take an active role in maintaining that road while construction is still going on. The road is still being used at the same rate it was before. Just because there is construction going on further towards Rae does not mean they cannot maintain the section of road that is not under construction.

I think the Minister should assist the individuals who are maintaining the road with their rubber and whatnot by driving down the road and having a good look for himself, so he does not have to be advised by his department all the time when he is answering questions. He could give a personal reference to it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is this government the people's government or is it the department's government?

He keeps saying the department is fine. The Members, on behalf of their constituents, keep saying the roads are not fine. There is a safety issue here. You cannot put a dollar figure on one human life. I would not like to see anybody crash and burn on that highway. If that were the case, then some heads have to roll here. Before that happens, I think the department should address the safety issue of that highway. I recommend the Minister drive down that highway so he has a good look at it for himself.

At the same time, he can help out the many residents who are filling those potholes with rubber and glass. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a number of questions. I usually do for Highway No. 3 and highways in general. Listening to his comments, I see a place where he explains where some of the funds were going for the highways, but then he did not explain how much money and what they were going to be doing on Highway No. 4. If the Minister could explain that, please?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In his comments he mentioned that they would like to increase the roads to resources. He also talked about the Great Slave geological province. I have been lobbying for the Highway No. 3 acceleration, along with the MLAs from Yellowknife. Looking towards the monies they are putting towards Highway No. 3 and Highway No. 4, I wonder if one day the government is going to come back and say Highway No. 4 is going to be the road to resources. I think this government has the capability to make a long range plan and to tell the Legislative Assembly where the road to resources is going to be.

They have already had a study done. It has been in their hands for a number of years now. Maybe I am wasting my time in support of Highway No. 3. Maybe I should concentrate on connecting my communities along the way to the road to resources. This government has done these studies and the studies cost us money, but they still cannot tell us where the road to resources is going to lead from.

The communities in my region want a road to go from Rae-Edzo to the road to resources. According to the study it would be the cheapest route, the shortest, and make traffic safer on Highway No. 3. The volume of traffic will be less. The volume of traffic will be less on Highway No. 4. You will not have to spend on those million dollar corners any more. I am just wondering if the Minister and his department have a plan for the road to resources, then I can lobby which highway I should be going for. Maybe I should spend my time supporting other Members with their concerns over chip-seal and everything until the department makes up its mind on where the road to resources will go. Thank you.