The standing committee was concerned about expenditures to date resulting from the cancelled Highway Investment Strategy. The Minister explained that $178,000 was spent on salaries and $542,000 on other operations expenditures. No capital expenditures, including motor vehicles, were made.

The Minister assured the standing committee that he would not bring back the original Highway Investment Strategy. He added that he has gone to the private sector for advice. The private sector has formed a lobby group, which includes the NWT Trucking Association. This group, which is led by the NWT Chamber of Commerce, plans to lobby Ottawa for more highway and other infrastructure funding.

As a result of the cancellation of the government's original Highway Investment Strategy, the Minister offered to arrange an information session for the standing committee with the highway and infrastructure lobby group. The standing committee looks forward to meeting with the lobby group.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.