Winter roads funding remains at 2020/21 levels
Mike Lawrence - Staff Writer
Funding for the winter road networks many northern Ontario communities rely upon is set to remain at the same levels as last year’s funding - $6 million. As Drew Campbell, Senior Issues and Media Advisor for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines explains, “This year’s allotment is the same as that of the 2020-21 season, (which was) part of a three-year funding commitment that promotes economic stability and ensures remote communities are able to bring in vital goods and services, such as food, medical and construction supplies. Multi-year funding reduces administrative burden, supports economic development and enables our northern communities to plan more effectively for upcoming winter roads seasons.”
Campbell went on to state, “This (year) would be the second year of the multi-year format, extending funding over three years. Information related to funding following the current three-year commitment may be more available through the third year of the current commitment.”
Over 21,000 Ontarians rely on the winter road network for more affordable transportation of goods and services, with the winter road network utilized by both northern communities and employers including the mining industry.
One vocal critic of the funding structure for winter roads has been Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong. As Mamakwa explains, “I think the cost of doing business and the cost of fuel has increased but the $6 million that they announced is just an arbitrary number. It doesn’t look at the actual needs and costs. We need to have a review of the historical funding amounts. People don’t understand how winter roads are actually lifelines for communities for raw materials, just as airports are our lifelines to access health care. Winter roads are lifelines, and we need a structured funding allocation based on need. When I think about the winter roads I think about construction, I think about the maintenance, and I think about the training. We need to be able to look the funding allocation, we need something that’s reliable, something that’s needs based.”
2021-2022 Winter Roads Community / Funding Recipient, investments and projects:
Amimakee Wa Zhing #37 (Northwest Angle #37)
-$77,452
- Winter road from Windigo Island to Kenora
Bearskin Lake
- $167,117
- Winter road running northeast from Muskrat Dam to the community
Cat Lake
- $277,478
-Winter road running from Pickle Lake to the community
Deer Lake
- $138,739
- Winter road running west from North Spirit Lake
Eabametoong (Fort Hope)
- $173,423
- Winter road from the community to Kabina Staging Grounds
Fort Severn
- $368,919
- Winter road from the community to the Ontario border near Shamattawa, Manitoba
Kasabonika Lake
- $81,982
- Winter road from the community to Wawakapewin
Keewaywin
- $149,775
- Winter road from the community to the eastern shore of Weagamow Lake
Kimesskanamenow LP*
- $589,443
- Winter road from Moosonee to Attawapiskat via Fort Albany and Kashechewan
Kingfisher Lake
- $291,035
- Winter road from Kingfisher Lake to North Road Junction (Hwy 599)
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI)
- $192,342
- Winter road from the community to Kingfisher Lake
Marten Falls
- $220,721
- Winter road from the community to Nakina
Moose Cree
- $381,457
- Winter road connecting Moose Cree FN to Otter Rapids
Town of Moosonee
- $23,561
- Two ramps required for the winter road to Moose Factory
Muskrat Dam
- $167,155
- Winter road from the community to Weagamow Lake
Neskantaga
- $353,598
- Winter road from Pickle Lake North Road to Neskantaga
Nibinamik
- $162,387
- Winter road from the community to Common Road
North Caribou Lake
- $126,438
- Winter road from Windigo Lake to the community and from the community to the west shore of Weagamow Lake
North Spirit Lake
- $246,447
- Winter road from the community to the all-season Nungessor Road
Northwest Angle #33
- $19,484
- Winter road from the community to Northwest Angle #37
Pikangikum
- $52,027
- Winter road from the community to the all-season Nungessor Road
Poplar Hill
- $77,252
- Winter road from the community to Pikangikum
Sachigo Lake
- $110,360
- Winter road running northeast from Muskrat Dam to the community
Sandy Lake
- $173,423
- Winter road connecting with the Deer Lake Winter Road System and connecting to Keewaywin Road
Temagami
- $18,918
- Winter road from Temagami Access Road to Bear Island
Wapekeka
- $50,450
- Winter road from the community to Big Trout Lake Connection
Wawakapewin
- $195,534
- Winter road from the community to Highway 599
Webequie
- $173,423
- Winter road from the community to the Nibinamik-Webequie junction
Weenusk
-$315,316
- Winter road from the community to Fort Severn
Wunnumin Lake
- $94,594
- Winter road from the Assine Lake turn-off to Wunnumin Lake
*Serves all three communities of Attawapiskat via Fort Albany and Kashechewan