Construction of a winter ice road in northern Saskatchewan has yet to begin, causing concern for communities depending on the seasonal link to the south.
Hatchet Lake Economic Development board chair Edward Benoanie says usually there is about two weeks of -40°C weather, but so far it has been unseasonably warm.
He says the cost of living will increase if a winter road is not completed.
“It means that our food prices are going to go up,” he says. “We’re going to have to stock up this summer if we do get a barge. We’re going to have to stock up on other foods and our perishables will take longer to get there. A lot of changes. It’s going to hurt the community very much.”
Benoanie says the Saskatchewan Party government said it would build a northern road when it first got elected, but has yet to come through on that promise.