Mr. Chairman, I understand the Member's concern. It is the same concern that was expressed by Mr. Lafferty from the North Slave. The department has had problems putting in the roads to some of the communities on the winter road system. We are working with the contractors to try to come up with ways whereby we can construct these roads, even though we have to still deal with the changes in weather patterns.
I would say it is very difficult to try and suggest a different route, whereby we are going to have different ice conditions when we are all talking about the same river. You cannot get to Aklavik on a winter road except by river. You have to cross a river somewhere.
I do not know if the Member is suggesting here that we are going to deal with different rivers or whether we take under consideration that we build a winter road over land. The department has not been considering that aspect of it yet.
What Mr. Lafferty is suggesting is in fact that the department may want to consider a land route as a winter road route. I believe he is referring to a route that used to exist at one time. I can assure the Member that if this is what we are going to have to do, then this is what the department will do. Thank you.