SIOUX LOOKOUT, ONTARIO (January 23, 2008) – Thirty remote First Nation communities in northern Ontario will benefit from improved winter road networks, thanks to the Government of Canada.

Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and NonStatus Indians, today announced $3.7 million to the road network.

“Our Government recognizes the importance of developing and maintaining winter roads for residents in remote communities across northern Ontario,” said MP Rickford, on behalf of Minister Strahl.  “We want to improve the quality of life for these First Nations by ensuring that residents in remote communities have a reliable winter road network.”

The winter road network, which spans 3,000 kilometers, is a vital transportation link to isolated communities. Annual federal government investments in winter roads are helping to provide an economical way to transport essential goods and services, helping to minimize the overall cost of living in the communities they connect, and reinforcing life lines of social interaction, customary travel and mobility throughout the region.

Since 2006-2007, INAC has invested approximately $5 million to improve winter roads. These investments have assisted remote First Nation communities in maintaining, expanding and realigning winter roads, providing a safer and more reliable network.

“Winter roads are critically important to several isolated First Nation communities in this riding who depend on these roads for the safe, efficient and cost effective transportation of crucial supplies which to name a few, include annual supplies of fuel for hydro generators, medical, and construction materials.  These roads are also important routes for transportation to and from medical appointments in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay as well as customary winter travel between the affected isolated First Nation communities and other light traffic during the winter months that does not otherwise occur during other seasons,” remarked Rickford.

For 2008-2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is providing an increase in the annual operations and maintenance budget to approximately $1.8 million from $875,000. Today’s announcement of $3.7 million also includes a one-time contribution of more than $1.9 million. The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund will administer the 2008-2009 funding for construction, operation and maintenance of the winter roads.

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is a non-profit, independent, Aboriginal-owned and operated financial institution providing business and financial services to Aboriginal people living in remote, rural and urban communities across northern Ontario. The main office is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a branch office is also operated out of Timmins, Ontario.

MP Rickford backs up his commitment to connect the isolated First Nations to the southern communities of the riding. “The economic prosperity of the entire region must include the isolated and remote northern First Nations moving forward.” concluded Rickford.