Preamble: The Governments of Manitoba, Canada and Nunuvut’s study into linking an all-weather road from Rankin Inlet and Churchill to the National Highway system in Manitoba has concluded that this is feasible, and has recommended that the preferred route would begin at Gillam.  

Currently, there is a winter road between Norway House and Oxford House, linking to Gods Lake Narrows and Gods River. 

The Northern Food Prices Report 2003 states: 

“It is important to note that there is a direct relationship between road access to a community and lower costs for nutritious foods. In communities that have all-weather road access, the freight costs, the cost of doing business and therefore food prices are relatively competitive with southern food retailers. In addition, all weather road access allows residents to drive to nearby centres that offer even lower prices and sales.” 

Resolution:  That the Government of Manitoba ,  as part of an overall Northern Manitoba transportation and infrastructure strategy, conduct a study to examine the feasibility of building an all weather road between Norway House, Oxford House, Gods Lake Narrows and Gods River, with a view to extending the all-weather road north to Gillam.

Resolution Report:  

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce produces Resolution reports as part of its commitment to be accountable to its members. The reports are updated as matters unfold and have two components:

MCC Advocacy: Specific activities the MCC has done to help make this Resolution a reality. 

Developments:  All other information (e.g. government action, media coverage, reports) that relates to Resolution. 

Advice, comments, and information sharing are welcome; simply enter a reply at the bottom of this post.

MCC Advocacy: 

May 11, 2010: The 2010-2011 Resolutions were posted on the MCC website, listed as part of a comprehensive Report on AGM 2010 and then notice of this story was circulated through the MCC E-Update is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 16, 2010: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• The Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation
• The Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs  

Developments:

October 15, 2010: The Honourable Steve Ashton, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation and Minister responsible for Emergency Measures, wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in relation to this matter. The Honourable Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Communities Economic Development Fund, also wrote to the Manitoba Chambers, indicating that he had reviewed Minister Ashton’s letter and trusted the Chambers would find the responses satisfactory.   

Minister Ashton responded as follows:

“In its continuing commitment to improving northern and remote transportation, the Government of Manitoba recognizes the benefits of an all-season road and has established the East Side Transportation Initiative (ESTI) to improve transportation for the residents of the remote and isolated communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

Along with the construction of a 160 km all-season road from PR 304 to Berens River First Nation, ESTI also includes a Large Area Transportation Network Study (LATNS), to examine potential route alignment options for an all-season road linking the communities of Norway House, Oxford House, Gods Lake Narrows, and Gods River along with the Island Lake communities. The study will be complete later this year and will recommend an all-season road route alignment. 

ESTI is currently focused on improving transportation on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and, as a result, extending the all-season road to communities outside of the region is not within the scope of the LTANS. However, construction of an all-season road on the east side is an important first step in improving transportation throughout the region. 

It should be noted that although 96% of the people living in the east side region are First Nations, the federal government has not yet committed any funding to the project. At the present time, the Government of Manitoba has committed approximately $93 million to date for this project. Construction of an all-season road throughout the region will cost in excess of $2 billion dollars and will take over a decade to achieve. Without federal government support, the project will take significantly longer. For this reason, discussions between Manitoba and Canada have begun regarding the prospect of federal funding.”