Again, I do appreciate the Member’s comments and concerns. We heard some other Members, many other Members during their opening comments on how well contractors around the Northwest Territories and our staff have been maintaining the road system here in the Northwest Territories. I thank the Members that provided those comments.
Again, as we go forward here, I don’t want people to think that this highway, the Inuvik-Tuk highway between Inuvik and Tuk was solely premised on the Mackenzie Gas Project. Again, we are still optimistic that the Mackenzie Gas Project will go
ahead, but there are a number of other reasons why this highway is of paramount importance to the Mackenzie Delta and to this territory.
Today there is hardly any economic activity in the Mackenzie Delta. They desperately need work. If you look at the future of both onshore and offshore in the area of petroleum development in the Mackenzie Delta, this road will be an integral part of the development of the resources that are there. I have mentioned this before, too, and as a government it is important for us to keep all of our options open. By not building this road, I think we are closing the door on opportunities. We are going to not allow the economic activity and development of the Mackenzie Delta, and I think that should be front and centre. I think we are pursuing the Inuvik-Tuk highway for all of the right reasons. I think we should continue to pursue that highway. Thank you.