Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it feels like spring has come early to the Mackenzie Delta. This means that ice roads will probably see a shorter season. Mr. Speaker, last year, the access toward Aklavik closed early due to warm weather, and this year the Department of Infrastructure increased the minimum ice thickness requirements for the operation of ice roads. Increasing the minimum ice thickness means a longer wait for the road to open and a shorter season to use it.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Aklavik has three projects on the go that were scheduled to be completed by Christmas. The use of the road is required in order to bring in supplies, but the road opened later than usual after the ice thickness requirements were changed, and these projects are still delayed. I commend the Department of Infrastructure in reconsidering requirements for safe operation of ice roads, but shorter seasons mean that our communities need to wait longer to get groceries and supplies, and our businesses are suffering.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the Department of Infrastructure implement flexible requirements, such as allowing personal vehicles that are lighter to go on the road earlier than heavier semis and tanker trucks, or even consider reversing the thicknesses required, given that not all ice is the same.

Mr. Speaker, shorter seasons due to a changing climate are made worse with the increase of the required ice thicknesses to operate ice roads. These changes have deep impacts, deep effects in communities that are not connected by land year-round. I urge the Department of Infrastructure to reconsider options for increasing the ice road season so that ice roads are kept open longer, and our communities have enough time to get resupplied. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have questions later today.