Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, this will be the last season for the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk ice road. People across the Mackenzie Delta are looking forward to the grand opening of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Canada will be connected from coast to coast to coast.

Mr. Speaker, ice roads will continue to be an important part of the region.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Aklavik would like to take on the contract for the ice road between Aklavik and Inuvik. The 120 kilometre winter road is open between December and April every year. It will continue to be a vital link for the community of Aklavik, connecting people, goods, and services to the region.

A local contractor already maintains roughly 80 per cent of the road. It makes sense for a business in Aklavik to take on the full job, leaving the more significant maintenance contract for the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway to other businesses from Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk.

Mr. Speaker, economic activity is very low in the region. Communities look to government contracts to give residents jobs and maintain some level of activity. Winter roads and all-season roads alike are an important consideration for all types of industry.

Mr. Speaker, residents of Aklavik feel strongly that the maintenance contract for their road should be awarded locally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister later today.