Some winter roads now open, but northern Manitoba communities worry about short season - Action News
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Manitoba

Some winter roads now open, but northern Manitoba communities worry about short season

Manitoba's winter road system, linking dozens of otherwise isolated communities, has started to open for the 2024 season but some communities are still waiting for rubber to hit the ice, says the chief of one northern First Nation.

Remote communities need more all-weather roads as climate changes, says St. Theresa Point First Nation chief

The back of a large transport truck driving over an icy road is shown.
A file photo shows a truck travelling on a winter road. Kevin Carlson, assistant to Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's grand chief, says winter roads are critically important for the economy and socialization of northern communities. (Bob Green/The Associated Press)

Manitoba's winter road system, linking dozens of otherwise isolated communities, has started to open for the 2024 season but some communities are still waiting for rubber to hit the ice, says the chief of one northern First Nation, raising fears about a shortened season.

St. Theresa Point First Nation ChiefRaymond Flett says agood and steady cold is needed for the winter road that connects his communityto the rest of the province.

But given how late it is in this season, henow worries how long the roads will be open.

"Like many other [Manitoba First] Nations we're in the same boat to worry aboutthe climate change, the global warming," Flett said. "We're at the mercy of the weather."

Winter roads serve about 30,000 Manitobans in 22 communities, according to the province. The roads see 2,500 shipments of goods yearly, including essentials like fuel, construction materials,heavy equipment and store supplies.

So far this season, eight winter roadsare already open in Manitoba's far north,according to the province's latest report. But five others, includinglinks to Shamattawa, Pukatawagan and Lac Brochet, aren't expected to open until sometime between Jan. 26 and Feb. 9, the report says.

Further south, the province saysa dozen winter roads are open including links to Berens River, Oxford House and St. Theresa Point. Nineremain closed including those to St. Theresa Point, Garden Hill and Little Grand Rapids with anticipated openings ranging from Jan. 28 to Feb. 5.

An official withManitobaKeewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents northern First Nations,says people started to travel on opened roads Friday.

That's about a week or 10 days behind usual, saidKevin Carlson, theassistant to MKO's grand chief.

A man speaks at a podium.
MKO's Carlson says the start of travel on winter roads so far this season is about a week or 10 days behind usual. (Submitted by Kevin Carlson)

The sense of relief when roads open is twofold, said Carlson supplies start to come in and socially isolated communities have easier access to the rest of the province.

He is especially concerned for Shamattawa one of MKO's most isolated communities because it is challenging to get that road in place.

It usually opens the last week of January, but this year may not be able to open until Feb. 9, Carlson said.

"If it gets much later than that, that's going to be a concern because then you're really down to four to five weeks to ensure all of those shipments get in," Carlson said. About 85 loads of essential supplies, including diesel and gas, are expected to move on that winter road this year.

"You hope that those roads open quickly," said Carlson."Otherwise they have to start flying it in, and that shoots up the cost tremendously."

Planning for short season: North West Company

In 2023,allwinter roads in the northern part of the province had opened by Feb. 4, and all but four roads further south were opened by Feb. 6. All were closed by April 14.

The North West Company, which runs the Northern Stores that supply remote communities with many essential goods, says having the winter roads open iscriticalto resupply staple items and materials.

"We've planned for a shorter season ... to get things moving quickly and not put at risk any single community'simportant deliveries,"said Michael Beaulieu, the company's vice-president of Canadian store operations.

A smiling man with grey hair and dark-rimmed glasses
Michael Beaulieu, vice-president of Canadian store operations with the North West Company, says the company is preparing for a shorter winter road season this year. (Submitted by the North West Company)

Beaulieu said in his 30 years with the North West Company, he'sseen some concerning seasons when warm weather put ice roads at risk.

But "generally, I think we're seeing a lot more variability in weather and weather conditions that are potentially impacts to our business," he said.

There are growing concerns for northern communities about climate change and its impacts, Beaulieu said, with generally warmer and more severe weather impacting how supplies are delivered to the north.

"Mother Nature plays a really important role. We are always concerned about odd weather events," Beaulieu said.

"A warm spell in the middle of February ... could be impactful to winter road shipping."

Long-term government investment and infrastructure to connect northern communities areessential, such as building more roads or increasing airport capacity,he said.

An ice road.
St. Theresa Point's chief says all-weather roads will be needed to bring in essential supplies as climate change creates more uncertain winter weather. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

There's significantinterest in the north in creating all-season roads, said MKO's Carlson.Connecting remote communities with the rest of the province would have economic and social benefits, he said.

St. Theresa Point's chief agrees, sayingall-weather roadswill be needed to bring in essential supplies asclimate change creates more uncertain winter weather.

"It's about time we start doing something," said Flett. "Our best option right now is to get an all-weather road."