Thank you very much there, Mr. Chair. I just have a few general comments, no specific questions at this time. Just picking up from my colleague Mr. Jacobson’s comment on maximizing benefits for communities through contracting services, I spoke earlier in my Member’s statement about an issue in one of my communities, the community of Wrigley. There is a big $15 million contract, seemingly little benefit flowing to the community. I believe government does have a role in it.

I believe we have to do our best to maximize opportunities, employment of those communities. We talk about it all the time. We talk about developing the capacity of our communities, developing training, and any time we got a contract or even a larger contract, it’s an opportunity to benefit those communities. So I am glad to hear the Minister indicates some policy around it. But in its application, Mr. Chair, I believe we have to be more prudent. We have to be more involved.

The community of Wrigley spoke about requesting assistance from Department of Transportation officials and they weren’t helpful at that point. I think they were trying to take hands-off opportunities. They’re in a contract, they can do what they want. Still, we keep track of government dollars and that’s a government contract and we should have a say and I think we do. It’s just a matter of how we apply our persuasiveness, I suppose, Mr. Chair.

Just in terms of the Transportation capital plan, I believe that is a good investment. I believe the department works hard in trying to make sure everybody gets their fair share of projects, at the same time, identifying and completing priority infrastructure repairs and/or replacements.

In my riding, particularly with highways, there were a few deferred projects especially on one that was a priority, which is Highway No. 7. The portion from the B.C. border and Fort Liard, I think there is 34 kilometres. There was supposed to be $4 million of investment there. That wasn’t done at all. We deferred. As well as the collapse of Highway No. 7 at around 166. I kept checking all summer. We have secured the additional million dollars last year, if you remember, Mr. Chair, to ensure that we rebase that road, but I didn’t see it done this year. The contract did go out, but once again it was delayed late into September and it does have an issue.

Community residents of Fort Liard, even in Nahanni Butte, are saying in July and August were good construction weather, but we wait until September to get mobilized and it rains the whole month of September. So they just don’t see the logic at all, Mr. Chair. If anything, at this point, I would urge that any deferred projects, to try to get that done as soon as possible. I know there were many other projects happening and tied up equipment that

could have been available for those projects. But just the same, moving forward, I just wanted to reiterate the concerns of my constituents and myself that it is a priority for our region, and I would like to see it done early in the construction year for 2010.

As well, in the capital plan, I see provision for airport lighting for other communities throughout the North. That’s something that has been high on my agenda for Jean Marie and Nahanni Butte. I will continue to convey that. I would like to see it as a priority for our communities as well. So I will continue to speak on that, Mr. Chair.

As well, I think I spoke many times, as our 16th Assembly, if we are going to leave a legacy behind us as an Assembly, I believe we should start moving towards chipsealing. That’s a tangible asset that’s something that constituents and residents throughout the North can see us actually physically working us. We’ve got lots of good programs and services, but I believe that the people only see something tangible like improved highways. Mr. Beaulieu spoke about that as well, as well as did Mr. Krutko on the Dempster Highway. I would like to see us work towards that in this Assembly. Expansion up until the year 2011 when we’ve got at least control over the budget and, of course, the 17th Assembly takes over after that. So I continue to

push for that. I think that’s a noble goal for this Assembly and our government to work towards. I am sure you will get support from this side of the House as we move through next year’s budgeting process.

I am glad to see, as well, that we are getting some chipsealing from Fort Providence junction towards Fort Simpson, about 70 kilometres. There again, I am not sure of the reasoning, but once again that was delayed. However, I was given assurances that it will be done early in the new fiscal year in 2010 and people from our riding are looking forward to it. They were quite excited about it this year when it was first announced about May or June. In our lifetime, we are probably going to see chipsealing from Simpson towards Hay River and/or Yellowknife. I would like to see the continuation of that project in 2010 and include, as well, more reconstruction of the Highway No. 1 road towards Fort Simpson replacing more culverts, because as soon as we do that, we are certainly upgrading the road and making it wider to chipsealing standards. You know, it’s a big goal, but if we are doing 70 or 60 kilometres of chipsealing a year, I think that’s phenomenal and I am pleased that our government supports that and I certainly would continue to support that.

So with that, Mr. Chair, I’ve got no further questions. Just more of a comment. I look forward to deliberating the capital budget as we move forward this afternoon.