Third remote First Nation signs with province on new all-weather road

Another agreement that aids in a road to the Ring of Fire mining area has been reached.

The Ford government has signed a Community Partnership Agreement to create an all-weather permanent access road to Marten Falls.

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says the road will benefit his remote community, opening up new opportunities for residents.

“They’re very excited to know what’s going to happen in a few short years, that they’ll actually be able to drive in and out of the community,” says Achneepineskum.

“Come back to the community on the weekend or training, temporary or short-term training or longer-term training, whatever it is, that they’ll be able to stay home or those First Nations members that are off reserve as they come home and build a home in the community.”

The community currently relies on air travel or the winter road network, which lasts only a few weeks.

Achneepineskum says it has had a big detriment on access to healthcare, economic development and the cost of groceries and building supplies.

As part of the deal, Marten Falls will get $39.5 million from the province.

Achneepineskum says some of the money will go toward improvements such as a new terminal building and paved runway at the airport.

“We’re going to be using those funds in a good way to start our economic development initiative and to get ready in terms of actually being part of the overall construction, management and planning of the road.”

Construction is expected to start near the end of next summer, with the road linking with others planned for Aroland and Webequie First Nations.

“These roads, along with roads being upgraded near Aroland, will connect the Ring of Fire to the rest of the world and connect Martin Falls and other communities in northern Ontario to economic opportunity and prosperity and better services,” says Premier Doug Ford.

Similar agreements were signed with Aroland leadership last January and Webequie in October.

The province says it is working with other First Nations to realize its goal of road access to the Ring of Fire mining area.