GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO NORTHERN ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS AS UNSEASONBLY WARM SPRING TEMPERATURES FORCE EARLY CLOSURE OF WINTER ROADS

Kenora, Ontario – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was excited to announce urgent funding for isolated First Nations in the Ontario Region to address increased transportation costs due to the early closure of the winter road network. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is providing $3.8 million of fuel delivery subsidies to remote First Nations in the Ontario Region to address the higher costs of transporting fuel by other means as a result of the early closure of the winter road network in northwestern Ontario.  During the coldest winter months, 30 First Nations in northern Ontario rely on ice roads for shipping heavy goods (such as material for building houses, and diesel fuel for community power generation systems). The length of the winter road network in northern Ontario is approximately 3,000 kilometres.

For several weeks MP Rickford’s office has been monitoring the deteriorating winter road situation in close contact and cooperation with many of the remote isolated First Nation communities in the Kenora Riding and the Minister’s office. “We identified a critical priority list of communities who are facing fuel shortages as well as pressing and substantial needs for the increased fuel costs for the transportation of materials to start or continue projects in the remote First Nation communities in the Kenora Riding. We presented that list to Minister Strahl’s office and they were very cooperative and supportive in developing an appropriate strategy to address this situation,” said Rickford.
 
The good news came with much relief to Chiefs of remote First Nation communities in the Kenora Riding. Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug, stated enthusiastically: "The community and I want to thank Greg a lot for all his work on this and the assistance he has provided to us. We were planning cut backs to try and cover this ourselves but now we can proceed as planned for our housing projects and other construction". Chief Rita Thompson of North Spirit Lake expressed similar relief because increased fuel costs could have put the construction of their new school in a potential delay, "On behalf of the community and myself, I want to thank Mr. Rickford for his assistance in getting our projects completed, especially our new school. We look forward to working with him and his office in the future on other issues for our community”.
 
“We recognize that the winter road system, essential to remote northern First Nation communities, is dependent on weather,” said Minister Strahl. “The season this year was unexpectedly short and for communities that depend on winter road access, this means increased costs to bring in essential supplies. This funding will ensure that essential fuel will continue to reach communities without delay.”  “I lived in many of the affected isolated First Nations community in the Kenora Riding for more than six years; I know how important the winter road network is for a variety of social and economic reasons. This early spring has affected some communities that have received key infrastructure funding through Canada’s Economic Action plan and this assistance will ensure fuel gets to communities so that projects can be completed in a timely manner,” said a delighted Rickford.
 
Annual federal government investments in winter roads enable transportation of essential goods and materials and minimize living costs in remote First Nation communities. In 2009 the Conservative government recognized the importance of the winter road network in the Kenora District by doubling the winter roads network funding. For 2009-2010, INAC provided $4.2 million for the operations and maintenance of winter roads. Notably, the Province of Ontario and First Nations cost-share the construction, operations and maintenance of the winter roads network in northern Ontario. INAC’s funding assists in offsetting the First Nations’ costs to construct and maintain roads.