Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, one of the principles that we have been suggesting here for the toll is that those highways that produce the revenue would see the revenue reinstated in the highways. Obviously, it is going to be needed anyway because of the heavy traffic and the effect it has on the surface of the highways. So there is a need to reinstate the money where it comes from.

That is not to say that there is no need for funding for the road the Member mentioned, such as the approach to Rae or the Tulita winter road or the access road on the Hay River Reserve.

The fact of the matter is the traffic volume there does not compare to the traffic volume on Highway No. 4. That is what the problem is. We are trying to reinvest the money where the problems are. We have to take into consideration that there is a lot of traffic down Highway No. 4 related to the tourism for northern lights. That is where all the Japanese people go now to view northern lights, down that highway. That in turn brings a lot of revenue into the city. The city has been writing to the department about their concerns on that particular route. So we are trying to address all these people's concerns and their expressions to us. Most of them are related to safe travel on the highways.

Although the Member may have some point that there is community traffic in other sectors and they are not really being addressed, like I said to the Member for Deh Cho, this does loosen up pressure on our existing capital funding, so they may be in a better position to address these other concerns. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, I did not get the Member's last comment. I could not make it out. Could he repeat himself please?

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Lafferty, could you repeat the question please?

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the department's major concern is safety and it does not matter on what highway. Safety is always the major concern. As far as the department's plans to invest in Highway No. 4, I indicated to the Members some of the reasons why we are doing this. It is for safety. It is to allow for traveling by the tourist outfits on that highway. It is for safety for the local people who live on that route. It is for the safety of people who go down that route and on into the mines or on into whatever they do from Tibbett Lake on. It is for safety that we plan to do some improvements on that highway. The department has identified that one section of highway as having one of the worst geometric conditions, which definitely needs improving.

Mr. Minister, the chair will recognize the clock and rise and report progress. We will continue with the discussion tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Minister, and your witnesses.

The House will come back to order. Item 20, report of the committee of the whole. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Do we have a seconder for the motion? The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell, as seconding the motion. To the motion. Question? Is the House prepared for question?

All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. Item 21, third reading of bills. Item 22, orders of the day. Mr. Clerk.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 27, 2001 at 1:30 p.m.

-- ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 6:00 p.m.