Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I take the Member's comments quite seriously in suggesting that we try and use some kind of balance in how we spend our capital dollars across the territory. I do not think our department was in any way trying to purposely reduce the dollars that are applied to Highway No. 8, it is just the need that we have for those capital dollars in other areas and the fact that we were asked to reduce our expenditures last year, left us no choice but to cut some projects. We tried to cut all the projects equally. We are not trying to send a message here that we are cutting projects through other processes.
When we reach the expenditures on Highway No. 8 under highway activities, I could show the Member what programs were being undertaken in past years for the money that was identified for Highway No. 8. It was not just simply widening the road. That money was spent for more than just the widening of the highway on Highway No. 8. Rather than get into details now, we could do that when we reach that activity.
If it is any consolation to the Member, I am sure he is aware that for the future, we have Highway No. 8 back to the previous expenditure levels of $2.5 million for next year. At this point in time, there is no plan to reduce that. As a matter of fact, like everywhere else, if we have the ability, we will increase that. That is what is in the budget at this point in time. Thank you.