Question Period Note: Roads

Our Government recognizes that winter roads are critical to the quality of life of remote communities.
This is why we are providing funding for roads such as the James Bay winter road, where we provided almost $800,000 this past year for the construction and maintenance of the winter road from Moosonee to Attawapiskat First Nation.
We also provided approximately $6 million last year (18-19) to the Province of Manitoba for the construction and maintenance of winter roads.
Support is available to communities if additional funding is needed to ship essential supplies to communities running short before winter roads are open, or in the event of their failure due to heavy use or unseasonable weather conditions.

ISC monitors winter road conditions and fuel supply issues before and on an ongoing basis throughout the winter road season, which typically runs from December through March. Due to climate change, winter road seasons have become shorter. The following possible risks may impact the preparedness of First Nations: unseasonable weather impacting the status of winter roads; cash flow issues impacting a community’s ability to pay suppliers; breakdown of aging generators; and, severe storms impacting delivery schedules.

Manitoba and Ontario Regions have the greatest number of winter-road-reliant communities. ISC provides 50:50 cost-sharing for these provinces to build, maintain, and operate ice and winter roads. In Manitoba, over 2,200 kilometres of winter roads link 18 remote First Nations. Four of the 18 communities are reliant on diesel fuel. In Ontario, 3,200 kilometres of winter roads link 31 First Nation communities, of which 22 are reliant on diesel for electricity generation: 9 First Nations own and operate their own diesel-powered generating stations and 13 First Nations are owned and operated by Hydro One Remote Communities Incorporated.

All-weather road to Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation

While currently no plans have been finalized to fund and construct an all-seasons road to Hatchet Lake, we are committed to continuing our discussions with the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation and the Province to connect northern Saskatchewan communities to the rest of the province.
The road would be provincially owned and operated, providing access to Hatchet Lake and the provincial hamlet of Wollaston Lake.
We are committed to work with all partners on responsible, sustainable options that will establish a reliable supply link to remote communities.

All-Season Roads

All Canadians, and particularly Indigenous communities in our North, are impacted by climate change. We recognize that operating winter roads will only be more challenging.
We are committed to work with all partners on responsible, sustainable options that will establish a reliable supply link to remote communities.