Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am sure that the Minister knows the gist of my comments that are coming second time around. It is not going to be unique. I have two issues I would just like to touch on. One is Highway No. 5, and the other is access to the Slave geological province. Mr. Chairman, it would be remotely heartening if Highway No. 5 even got on the capital plan, knowing how capital plans change from year to year. Except for prior year's cost, where there was some money spent a number of years back. I know the Minister's situation with finances, but I want to very clearly put it on the record that it still is a concern for Fort Smith and the South Slave. While my colleague Mr. Dent says they are only spending $6 million on Highway No. 3, we would be tickled pink to get $300,000 per year to get some work done. If Mr. Dent is willing to share that, I would be more than willing to support the Minister moving $300,000 a year to Highway No. 5.
The other issue is the issue of access to the Slave geological province. I am interested to know if there is a position by the department and government as to which route they are interested in taking? It seems to me there are quiet improvements to Highway No. 4, or Ingraham Trail, and it is going to reach the point where there is so much money invested that the government will say that we are committed to this particular route because we have invested so much money. Whereas I know that the people in the North Slave and the Dogrib region are very interested in having a road through their territory that would hook up all their communities as well as provide access to the mines, it would be there a long time after the mines closed down, giving us a significant added benefit of having a number of communities on all weather road access.
So those are my two issues. I do want to acknowledge the commitment and upgrade that is going on to the airport terminal in Fort Smith. It is much appreciated. When the Minister of Transportation hits the lotto for highways, we will be there with our little cap in hand, looking for a few shekels to put towards Highway No. 5 chip-sealing. Thank you.