Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In February of this year I spoke in this House about the Willow River Bridge Project, which would include an all-weather road. The Minister of Infrastructure and I agreed that the community of Aklavik, working with his department, had already done a great deal to advance this project.

From environmental impact screening and a development of road plans to the launch of a community-based working group, Northerners have been hard at work to make this dream a reality.

Right now, without a bridge or all-weather road, access to this part of the foothills of the Richardson Mountains is limited to a few months in the fall and winter, when a bridge can be built out of logs for ATVs and snowmobiles, and later by ice roads.

This means no reliable access to traditional trails, limited access to gravel resources, and missed opportunities for economic development, recreation, and tourism. If we work together, Mr. Speaker, it doesn't have to be like this.

This project has been in the works for a long time, and the GNWT has been a strong partner so far. Continued commitment from the government will mean the realization of long-standing aspirations for the community.

The planning studies have been completed. The proper permits are active for the next few years. Mr. Speaker, we know what we need to do. Going forward, our first priority is to fund the installation of the Willow River Bridge. That's where we need the GNWT's support to come in.

Back in February, the Minister spoke of applications to the first-come/first-served CAP funding as well as potential new opportunities from federal infrastructure. I'll have questions about the department's progress on these funding matters at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.