Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, every time there is a road built to the outlying communities, it is pretty hard to really look at it. We are saying that we want to work together regarding the winter road. Can they build a road on the land? We are talking about an all-weather access road. Later on, I would direct the question to the Transportation Minister. (Translation ends)
...fully depend on aircraft which, of course, is very expensive as you know, Mr. Speaker.
In recent years, the winter road season has been getting shorter and shorter as global warming continues. It is foreseeable that one day we will not be able to build a winter road at all. We need to begin planning for the possibility now, Mr. Speaker.
The Tlicho Government, as my colleague indicated, supports a realignment of the current winter road to a more direct multi-land-based wealth. This new road could eventually be converted to an all-weather highway with construction of a few bridges along the way, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, this road is a critical link to the three isolated communities in the Tlicho region. New highways are not built overnight, Mr. Speaker. We must start planning and working now in partnership with the Tlicho Government and the federal government to ensure that these communities will continue to have road access in the near future. I will have questions for the Department of Transportation Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause