Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I want to talk about an important matter in the Yellowknife North riding. On Saturday the Ingraham Trail was closed again for about an hour because a haul-truck, on its way to resupplying the mines, caught fire near the Yellowknife River.

That was the fifth incident involving big rigs in just a couple of weeks. One was a roll-over, one truck went off the road, and three actually involved trucks catching fire. Thankfully, no injuries were involved in any of the incidents.

Mr. Speaker, when this many incidents occur involving trucks on our roads, it raises questions of public safety. The Ingraham Trail is used not only by truckers, Mr. Speaker. Residents of Detah, people who live further down the trail, and people who travel for aurora viewing, recreation, or hunting are also regular users of the trail. For these people, in case of emergency, the trail is their only way in or out, and their only access to assistance.

These people need to know that their safety is a priority of this government, Mr. Speaker. These incidents raise issues such as road maintenance, vehicle safety and driver training. All of these issues could affect any user of the Ingraham Trail.

Mr. Speaker, communication is key to ensuring public safety, and to reassuring people that, in cases of emergency, they will be protected and looked after. They need to be able to count on the authorities to have accurate information about the situation, and to share that information with residents who need it in a timely manner in order to make decisions.

Regarding the truck fire on the weekend, when a Twitter follower inquired with DOT whether the driver of the vehicle was okay, the DOT response was, "The firefighting department investigates these issues, not us." Surely as a government we owe residents better responses than that, Mr. Speaker, and better reassurance that their lives and safety are being protected.

I'll have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.