Increased revenues and new employment opportunities are positive impacts that accompany resource development. However, there are also negative impacts associated with development, including increased wear and tear on our roads and highways. Government must mitigate against such impacts. To maintain and improve the safety of our existing highways, the Honourable Vince Steen, Minister responsible for Transportation, is leading the government's effort to implement a Highway Investment Strategy, in part by establishing commercial vehicle trip permits and fees.

We recognize that fees are seldom popular. However, we must be prepared to do our part to maintain and improve our road system, and we are looking to the commercial transport industry to pay its fair share of costs associated with its use of public highways.

During this session, legislation will be introduced to provide for the commercial vehicle trip permits. In four years' time, the people travelling on our territorial highways should be pleased by the dramatic improvements that the Highway Investment Strategy has brought about in the quality and safety of our public highways.