Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a few comments on the Department of Transportation. I think, for the most part, the department is juggling a bunch of different things and doing a good job at the task that they have at hand. I’ve been happy with the Yellowknife bypass road moving forward and thank the Minister and his staff for all the work that they put into seeing that road finally look like it’s going to be constructed. I think that will be a big boost for the city and for the region. Also, in the area of public safety, I think having another access in and out of the capital city will be good. Redirecting some of that truck traffic on that route will also be good down into the Kam Lake Industrial Park. I’m happy with that.

One of the things I’m following closely is the Deh Cho Bridge, obviously. In the Minister’s opening remarks the only mention of it was it will improve service in the North Slave region. I know that it will. Obviously, a bridge across the Mackenzie River is going to improve service because there’s not going to be a period where the ice road and the ferry are unavailable and people will be able to go across that river at any time of the year. So that’s good from that standpoint. But the question I have -- and the last government was never able to really answer it – is if you’re charging tolls on all the

trucks coming across the bridge, how is it going to lessen the cost of living in the North Slave region? Not just the North Slave region but all the goods that are transported across that bridge and end up in Yellowknife and are flown to outlying communities. If there’s a tariff or a toll on those goods crossing the river, that’s going to be passed on to the consumers not just in Yellowknife but all the other communities that the goods are flown into. It causes me a great deal of concern.

Also, I had some questions for the Minister last week in regard to what our financial exposure is as a government going forward. They’re behind schedule there and I’m just hoping that we’re not at risk for any further money. I also want to find out exactly what it’s going to cost us for the collection and administration of the tolls and when that’s going to be coming forward. Also, the bridge itself, if there are...I know we can’t get into specific cases, but if the government is named in any suits, I’d be interested in knowing that as well.

Aside from that, I’m quite happy with the department and will have some questions as we go through the detail. Thank you.