Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House of the upcoming northern transportation conference to be held in Yellowknife on November 8th to 10th. It will be co-hosted by three of Canada's leading transportation "think tanks:" The Van Horne Institute, the Transportation Institute of the University of Manitoba, and the Western Transportation Advisory Council, or WESTAC.

Mr. Speaker, this conference will help focus the spotlight on the North and our transportation system. It will bring together delegates from across Canada to inform them of the immense opportunities in the North and transportation's role in achieving these opportunities. In the end, delegates will be challenged to work collectively to draft a transportation action plan.

To help develop this action plan, delegates will hear a number of presentations and panel discussions on topics such as transportation partnerships, the state of northern transportation infrastructure, the challenges facing all modes of transportation, the impact of pipeline development, climate change, and northern sovereignty and security.

Mr. Speaker, this is an impressive list of topics. To do them justice, the conference organizers have invited an equally impressive list of presenters. They have drawn from industry, academia, governments and aboriginal organizations to ensure a balanced and spirited discussion.

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to report that officials from the Department of Transportation, along with their colleagues from Nunavut and the Yukon, have had significant input into the development of the conference themes and selection of keynote speakers and expert presenters. The Department of Transportation is also providing financial and administrative support, as well as a number of speakers. With my counterparts from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, we will be discussing the need for partnerships with the western provinces in achieving economic growth and providing improved transportation services.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, we look forward to attending the northern transportation conference and participating in what will be a challenging and enlightening forum. This will be a great opportunity to showcase the North to the rest of Canada and highlight the unique transportation issues facing us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause