Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of concerns with this capital plan as presented here right now. There is a shortfall for municipal funding. It was an issue when I first ran, and I am hearing it again. I am hoping that the government was going to be able to try to help increase this. I know that the government is working with the federal government to try to get more money, but it has been a situation where the communities are asking for more money because they don't feel that they are getting enough.
The other concern that I have, and again, I am probably going to have some questions in regards to access roads, is that the three communities of Jean Marie, Sambaa K'e, and Nahanni Butte are talking about their access road. I know that we have put investments in it, but the communities are saying that we need better investment, because we are seeing potholes in that. That's something that the community is looking for support from the government for, as well as Sambaa K'e is looking for an all-weather road. They want to get access to what's out there. Right now, they are only accessible during the winter time by road. I am concerned, again, about the carryover. The Minister has talked to us about the carryover, making sure that we address that, and hopefully we don't see that being an issue moving forward.
The other concern that I have is about the geothermal. Again, we have this opportunity. In some of the communities that I represent right now, geothermal could be an answer to some of our power and employment issues moving forward. That there is a concern for me.
However, I have to thank the government for a number of positive things that I have seen. We are talking about the Fort Simpson long-term care unit, the 48 beds. I appreciate the government looking at that. The road to Mount Gaudet is part of the process of moving the Mackenzie Valley Highway forward, as well as the LNG power plant for Fort Simpson and some work to Highway No. 1 and the famous Highway No. 7. I do have one question for the Minister, Mr. Chair, if I am able to ask that question.