Mr. Speaker, I have indicated many a time, not having access because of the ice break-up in the springtime and in the fall, it could amount anywhere between six to eight weeks in a year and I know and I appreciate that in many communities that's the state of being all year round. I appreciate that and I believe they should get the bridge too. That's not to say that Yellowknife should not get that. We have 20,000 people and the businesses and all the services we provide that get closed down twice a year and there is a cost to that, Mr. Speaker. The trucking companies pay extra money when they have to come to Yellowknife, not just a delay in time, there's an extra premium for having to drive here,
Mr. Speaker. The businesses all over Yellowknife have to store extra inventory to get ready. The freeze-up and the spring break-up is not pre-determined; nobody knows when that's going to happen.
Mr. Speaker, so there is a lot of cost in not having this and we need to understand that. It's about time that the Members of this House consider the fact that not having the bridge is increasing the cost of living for the residents and businesses of Yellowknife, and for that reason I cannot understand, for the life of me, why all the MLAs from Yellowknife are not getting behind 1,000 percent for this project.
Mr. Speaker, if you try to do a house renovation...Excuse me, I can't hear. Mr. Speaker, I have to speak louder and louder because I can't hear what I am saying. Mr. Speaker, during the spring thaw and break-up, there are lots of things that you cannot get. This past three or four months, all the fresh stuff, all the milk, all have to be flown in. There is a cost to that. I know that happens in other communities, so I support the bridge for everybody else.
Mr. Speaker, let me just conclude by saying...Mr. Speaker, let me just say...