Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, for many years, Tlicho families have lived, and hunted, and trapped along the shores of Great Slave Lake. Many of these traditional camps were built near Highway No. 3 because it allowed families to maintain their traditional lifestyle while living in the town of Behchoko for part of the year. Still others maintained their traditional culture year round. When the Department of Transportation changed the structure of Highway No. 3, many traditional camps and homes were affected, Mr. Speaker. In the past, last fall, I raised that issue with the DOT servicing Highway No. 3 traditional cabin owners' access roads. Specifically I spoke about Charlo's camp, a camp that has been in a location for generations. Traditionally, families live at this site. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this family is not able to access their camp because the road is deteriorating dramatically. The access road is literally collapsing, Mr. Speaker. In the past, the road was maintained by the DOT.

Mr. Speaker, the department has the responsibility to clear these highway access roads. These families were there long before the highway was even built, the new highway. By preventing them access to their traditional camps, Mr. Speaker, we are preventing them from maintaining their traditional way of life on the land.

I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause