Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address the issue of the road through Dogrib country that my colleague, Mr. Lafferty, has raised in this House. This issue was before the 13th Assembly as well and was raised repeatedly by Mr. Lafferty's predecessor. I thought it was a good idea then and I think it is an even better idea now. The circumstances have changed and improved the need for such a road.

We have three diamond mines. I understand there is also a mine being proposed at the old Rae Rock Mine. It is looking for a lot of power, eight megawatts of power. We have the potential for significant hydro development in the South Slave.

As we look at what to do with that power, the issue of coming north with a grid to hook into the Snare grid to feed the mines becomes, in my mind, very attractive and should be looked at. It is a natural extension of that kind of resource development when you look at the road.

Mr. Speaker, this road would benefit not only the industry, but if it were put through as proposed by my colleague, we would have the benefit, after the resource development is over, of permanent roads connecting the communities who are currently there and are land locked, except in the winter.

I would hope that the government and the Minister of Transportation would look at this issue once again. I think there is even greater impetus for this as the economics develop as they have with rising fuel prices. However, with the pressing resource development, I think it makes good sense.

Like my colleague for the North Slave, I would hope to see some recognition of the need for this road in the planning of the government in the months and years ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause