Winter roads are a vital lifeline for remote First Nations, enabling the delivery of essential services and supplies to communities during the winter months. The Government of Canada is dedicated to working in partnership with First Nation communities and the Province of Manitoba to integrate the knowledge and experiences of First Nation leadership into winter road planning and climate adaptation strategies. This collaborative approach will enhance resilience and sustainability of the winter road network in the face of changing climate conditions.
Today, First Nations leaders gathered in Winnipeg with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services. This meeting, co-hosted by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), follows the roundtable held earlier this month in Ontario and provided an opportunity to discuss innovative solutions to the challenges faced by First Nation communities that rely on winter roads.
During the meeting, Minister Hajdu announced up to $20 million in additional funding over four years, beginning in 2024, to support upgrades and improvements to winter roads in Manitoba. The funding will be guided by the input of First Nations communities to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential goods and supplies.
Winter roads are essential and require collaboration between orders of government. While the Province of Manitoba is responsible for the winter road network, the Government of Canada, through Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), supports the province and First Nations with funding for the construction and maintenance of these roads. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, ISC allocated $8 million to support the winter road network and expects to provide a similar allocation, adjusted for inflation, for the 2024-25 winter road season.
The Government of Canada will continue to collaborate with partners to improve efficiencies in permitting processes for roads and water crossings.
