Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are a number of issues being raised here. First of all, the contract for Blackwater. I am sure the Member heard the disappointment in my voice when I responded to the question and especially the comments made that he was not happy with the government not responding.

Mr. Chairman, at the Member’s request, we did carve out a portion for earth works, so it would be negotiated with the community. We did also extend the deadline for the contract. We also responded to his request for a negotiated contract. We found extra dollars so we could negotiate the contract. The community has received 20 percent of the benefits of this contract already and the contract is not over. So it’s really hard to find substantiation to what more we can do. We can’t be involved directly with the subcontractors to negotiate any deals. That has to be done by the person that has the individual companies or the equipment that needs to be worked on.

We’ve committed, at his request, to start working towards chipsealing Highway No. 1 We had to go find extra dollars to do that and we are doing 70 kilometres. We’ve also found extra dollars over the last while to work on Highway No. 7. All of these things are in his riding. The work was tendered, it was awarded. There are some things that have been delayed that we can’t control if it’s because of weather. So the goals that we have set, we’ve really tried to support. We will continue to try to do that. But I think it’s really unfair for the Member to say we aren’t supporting him and his riding. Thank you.