The MP for Kenora is responding to criticism stemming from an announcement at Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.
Rickford was questioned why the government is only committing to design the ‘Freedom Road’ and not actually build it.
He notes this is just the first piece of the puzzle.
Rickford notes the government doesn’t spend one million dollars to design a road unless they are interested in being willing partners.
However, they have to find out the commitment of other partners and determine the exact cause of the project.
The feds, province of Manitoba, and city of Winnipeg have each announced $1-million towards the design phase.
The Natural Resources Minister calls it an important first step.
Shoal Lake 40 Chief Erwin Redsky calls it a bitter, sweet announcement.
Redsky stresses they were hoping for an announcement on the actual construction of the road.
He maintains they won’t support twinning the Trans-Canada until the road is built.
The only access to the island community is via an aging and unreliable ferry.
