Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the community engagement sessions that are taking place across the Mackenzie Valley on the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the MLA from the Sahtu, is currently attending these sessions alongside members of the strategic infrastructure, energy, and supply chains' team.
These sessions give residents a chance to hear where the project is at, what work is being planned, and what the next steps are for the project and communities. They also give people a chance to ask questions and share their views directly with the project team.
Mr. Speaker, the proposed highway would extend from Highway No. 1 at Wrigley to Tulita and Norman Wells and create a road with year-round access. This project has potential to improve access and travel to currently remote communities along the corridor, support and grow local economies, and make it easier for people to access services.
Mr. Speaker, as the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, I am glad the long-term vision for this project looks beyond phase one with the plan to eventually extend the highway north through the Mackenzie Delta to connect with Inuvik and on to Tuktoyaktuk. While the current environmental assessment focuses on the Wrigley to Norman Wells section, this bigger picture matters, Mr. Speaker. It shows how this project could strengthen supply lines, improve regional connections, and support Arctic security. The Minister responsible has let me know that the project team had a good turnout in Norman Wells yesterday, and meetings are continuing this week in Deline, Tulita, Fort Good Hope, and Colville Lake, with another session planned in Fort Simpson in early March. Mr. Speaker, I encourage residents to attend, learn more, share their thoughts. Hearing directly from communities is important as this project moves through this regulatory process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
