Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to clearly state my position on the new Highway Investment Strategy and the highway toll being proposed. Mr. Speaker, if successful, I believe this initiative will prove to be one of the most important legacies that this Assembly will leave behind. I would really like to kick-start a full debate in and out of the House. I believe, Mr. Speaker, any good debate requires a good, strong position to kick-start. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would like to state the reasons for my support, as other Members have indicated what is wrong with this proposal of late.

Mr. Speaker, I like this plan because it is a well thought out, comprehensive plan to address the capital needs of our highways in our territories, not just the highway from Yellowknife to Rae.

This is a "what can we do" instead of an "excuse for what we cannot do" plan.

This is a plan to tap into new money in the mining and oil and gas industry, which would otherwise fly right over us.

This is a plan to finish the road from Rae to Yellowknife in four years instead of ten to 11 years as currently planned. In other words, we are looking at 2005 instead of 2015. More simply put, when I am 40 instead of when I am 50.

This is why we do not want to wait until the federal government gives us money for resource revenue or devolution plans.

This is a bold plan to deal with the reality that many of our highways cannot handle the burden of mining and oil and gas development.

This is a courageous plan that accepts and acts on the reality that some parts of our highway are so worn out that it is hazardous to our residents.

This is a plan to deal with the fact that our government's capital budget has been decreasing steadily for the last ten years and that it is our duty and responsibility to find the money now and in a creative way.

Finally, this is a forward-looking plan to invest in our economic development before we lose this rare opportunity.

Most of all, Mr. Speaker, the thing I like most about this one is that this is the first one where Mr. Miltenberger from Thebacha and I are going to be big allies.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause