Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her question this evening.
Highways in Canada, except for those on federal property, are the responsibility of the provincial government. The member knows that. It is a simple fact but true.
I do not think there is anyone in Canada who is more knowledgeable or concerned about highways than Premier McKenna of New Brunswick and his transportation minister, the Hon. Seldon Lee. Therefore, quite simply, the appropriate place to raise questions about the routing of a highway within the province of New Brunswick is in the New Brunswick legislature, not the federal House of Commons.
Premier McKenna is doing the best job he can and we of course will do everything we can within our jurisdiction to assist him in his most laudable goals.
As for the choosing of the route, as I understand it, the province hired a consultant to review the options to improve the trans-Canada highway in New Brunswick. I should point out the study did not involve the federal government whatsoever. The province is working toward a four lane highway from the New Brunswick-U.S.A. border at St. Stephen through Saint John to the Nova Scotia border. That is its right, its duty and its jurisdiction.