Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there were a number of different messages that came forward from the consultation work by the committee and by the department. The department is reviewing all of these suggestions.

There is no doubt that there are many people, as the Member suggested, who just do not feel this is a viable option. However, there were some suggestions that something has to be done now, regardless of whether this is a popular option or not. Hopefully, some other form of funding can be identified in order to pay for the cost of reconstructing our highways and bringing them up to standard.

There were suggestions put forward, Mr. Speaker, that possibly, provided we switch from an axle configuration to a full weight option, that the truckers may be more satisfied with this method of regulating and charging for the use of the highway.

There was also a suggestion that there should be a sunset clause. Those are two prime options that we thought we could do something with in the short term. There are many long-term suggestions, Mr. Speaker, including going to the federal government, including the option of resource revenue sharing but unfortunately, the department does not see those as short-term options, but rather as long-term solutions.

Eventually, these may come into play but meanwhile, we have to deal with highways as they are. That is where the department has a problem and a dilemma as to how exactly to proceed with this. The plan was not to apply a tax. What we are suggesting is not a tax and we would not be considering it as a tax. We would be applying a system that did not affect the general public as they use the highway themselves but rather as heavy truck traffic was using the highway. In other words, people with light vehicles would not be paying a fee. That was the plan. It still is the plan.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member suggested, there are many people who do not feel there is any way we can proceed with this plan. The department feels we do not have much of an alternative and we are putting it to the people again with the suggested amendments to see what we come up with by February. Thank you.