Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a general comment to the Minister and his officials. A constituent of mine in the Sahtu is an elderly lady who keeps talking about the road system in the Sahtu and the need for opening up the Sahtu. I am pleased to see in the opening comments that the Minister mentioned some progressive development that is going to be happening in the Sahtu, and the need for these types of initiatives. I was pleased to read that he's...(inaudible)...some of the communities in the Sahtu in the work that's going to happen over there.

Like anything that we've been dealing with over the past couple of days with this government, still there's lots of need for improvement. One of the issues I would like to look at is on page 5. The department has two successful programs dedicated to improving local transportation in our community under the community local access road program. I know the Minister is aware that the community of Deline has a huge ice crossing that goes into the community each year. At Great Bear Lake, the ice is getting thinner and thinner each year. The elders are saying that it's getting quite dangerous now and the crossing is becoming quite a concern for the people. The road that people have to use in Deline passes right by the water intake station. They asked if I would ask the Minister if he would give some consideration to rerouting that winter road. They no longer want to see it crossing Great Bear Lake. If they could find a more suitable, safer route for the people to use for the winter road. That is something I wanted to point out on page 5.

I know there are other communities that are looking for this program to help them; however, that's a concern I need to bring to this table to voice on behalf of the Deline people.

There are other comments I would like to make later on in the budget. Right now, I just want to keep it short, and I'm glad I hear the Minister has made some comments and reference to some of the work that's going to happen with

regard to the winter road in the Sahtu. Thank you, Madam Chair.