Mr. Speaker, the economic benefits will be great for all of the communities in the Beaufort-Delta for visiting family
and connecting the communities of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. It will lower the cost of living in Tuktoyaktuk. We won’t have to build the ice road to Tuktoyaktuk in the winter months any longer. Long term, this road will have tremendous impact on the exploration and development of oil and gas in the region and lead to many more jobs and opportunities for residents in the Beaufort-Delta.
Also, I should mention tourism. Currently, in the summer months, when tourists drive the Dempster Highway into Inuvik, they have to take a plane into Tuktoyaktuk if they want to dip their toe in the Arctic Ocean. That will be a thing of the past. Tourists will be able to drive all the way to the Arctic Coast and dip their toe in the Arctic Ocean and also visit a pingo or two while they are in Tuktoyaktuk. Thank you.