Remote First Nations urgently need all-season road in face of climate change, chiefs say
Proposal outlines plan for $600M road that would connect northern Manitoba communities
First Nations leaders from northern Manitoba have put forth a proposal for an all-season road they say is urgently needed as climate change threatens the winter road system their communities rely on.
The proposal calls for the construction of a 252-kilometre road connecting St. Theresa Point Ansininew Nation to Berens River First Nation, which has an all-season road access via Provincial Road 304.
Eventually, Wasagamack, Norway House Cree Nation, Garden Hill and Red Sucker Lake could be connected to the all-season road as well.
The new road would take about five years to complete at an estimated cost of $600 million, to be raised through a social impact bond, an approach that leverages private and public funding.
Ultimately, the road could save government money by reducing costs associated with medical transportation, said Chief Raymond Flett of St. Theresa Point, who referred to the project as "our freedom road," a callback to the all-season road connecting Shoal Lake 40 to the Trans-Canada Highway, enabling the construction of a new water treatment plant.
"Our plan is an affordable solution that provides immediate benefits to the St. Theresa Point First Nation and the entire Interlake region and southeast region of Manitoba," he said.
Warmer winter weather
Remote First Nations in northeastern Manitoba have been calling for an all-season road for decades, but this year's unusually warm winter has put the issue at the forefront, the chiefs said at a news conference Wednesday.
Chief Walter Harper from Wasagamack First Nation says there are hundreds of loads of fuel and essential goods that can't get to the community right now because of the mild weather.
He says they've only been able to access the winter road to the community for about a month.
"That's not enough time to get essentials into our community," he said.
"We need to do something right away."
Former Berens River chief George Kemp said he worries communities may have to have supplies airlifted in.
"It's very critical right now that the government be made aware that there's a looming crisis coming."
In addition to making it harder, and more expensive, to get food and other items into these remote communities, the lack of an all-season road also impacts living conditions because of the difficulties bringing in building supplies, said Grand Chief Scott Harper of Anisininew Okimawin, a coalition of the four Island Lake-area First Nations.
"You all know the conditions, the living conditions in our communities. It's because we have no access to building materials," he said.
"I truly believe it is a matter of life and death in some situations, because if we can't get our material in, that lowers our ability to service our people."
The proposal was sent to the federal and provincial governments last Thursday.
Ian Bushie, Manitoba's minister of northern affairs, said he's had numerous discussions with St. Theresa Point leaders about the need for an all-season road. He says he understands the challenges these communities are facing, something he said was especially apparent Wednesday when temperatures reached as high as 10 C in parts of the province.
"It's pretty significant. Some winter roads have had delayed openings, which will absolutely lead to increased costs for the communities," he said.
"So it is definitely a challenge that they face today, and I know it's something that's being monitored by the minister of transportation and infrastructure on an ongoing basis."
Federal Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal said he plans to speak with his cabinet colleagues and provincial counterparts about the proposal.
"Access to reliable transportation routes should be a reality to all Manitobans, including those living on First Nations and other rural communities," he said in an emailed statement.
"With a changing climate and warmer winters, it's important that we build more all-season roads."
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With files from Ian Froese