The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to recognize the efforts of employees of the Department of Transportation and Works who worked tirelessly during and after the January storm.

We all saw the photos of the impact the snow had on eastern Newfoundland and the Avalon Peninsula and we all know our own experiences and the challenges we faced cleaning up after the storm.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the employees of my department who went to great lengths to ensure public safety.

Our plow operators pushed through snow drifts that were fifteen feet high on provincial highways. Our mechanics and welders worked tirelessly to keep our snow clearing equipment in working order.

The crews that weathered the storm on the ferries to keep them safe in the 140 kilometer per hour winds.

Our security staff watched over our government buildings and were unable to get home to their families.

Mr. Speaker, our employees regularly go above and beyond their normal responsibilities. Their efforts during this storm and the days following it were no exception.

On behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, thank you to our Transportation and Works employees and to everyone who helped someone else during and following the storm.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.