'People are worried': Saskatchewan's oldest settlement is now cut off from fuel and supply trucks
Officials in Cumberland House say conditions on the only highway into the community have worsened, and trucks are unable to bring food and supplies into the remote village.
Saskatchewan Highway 123, the only road in and out of the province’s oldest settlement, has gotten so bad this year that locals say they’re often forced to go through the ditch to avoid getting stuck in the mud.
Community members brought the issue to CTV News on Monday, urging the province to invest in their highway and fix what has been a perennial problem for residents of Cumberland House.
Now, Deputy Mayor Veronica Favel says local stores are hiring vehicles to meet supply trucks at the end of the paved portion of the highway.
“[The] Northern Store and Chief Island community store are now hiring half-ton vehicles to retrieve food supply at the beginning of the grid road,” Veronica Favel told CTV News in a message on Thursday.
“They tried coming through with the semi yesterday and was not able to pass,” she said.
Missy Budd, the assistant manager at the Chief Island Store, says she’s been driving to Nipawin with other staff members in their personal vehicles to restock.
“We’re doing what we can, but there are other things we just can’t get — like our gas can’t come in.”
Budd said people haven’t been able to fill their tank at Chief Island for two days.
“People are worried,” she said.
“It’s a really big risk for us, especially like, say there’s an accident and our EMT can’t get out.”
The assistant manager at the Chief Island Store said Highway 123 is so bad they've had to take personal vehicles to go buy supplies in Nipawin. (Source: Facebook / Chief Island Store)
In a statement to CTV News on Monday, the Ministry of Highways acknowledged it’s been a “challenging spring thaw” for residents of Cumberland House.
The ministry said it plans to spend about $3.3 million to improve Highway 123 this summer, and that it’s working with trucking companies to ensure food, fuel and other key supplies can reach the community.
According to Budd, the Ministry of Highways doesn’t seem to have come up with a workaround to get fuel to Cumberland House yet.
It has managed to dump 15 truck loads of fresh gravel, though.
Budd says it’s the usual “Band-Aid solution” they see from the provincial government.
“They just put more gravel, patch it a little and then it’s left alone until the next disaster happens,” she said.
Cumberland House is approximately 450 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canada and U.S. list Samidoun as terrorist group, U.S. adds Canadian to terror list
Canada is listing the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun as a terrorist group, while the U.S. has added a Canadian citizen affiliated with the organization to its counter-terrorism list.
Food prices continue to outpace inflation in Canada
For the second straight month, grocery prices in Canada rose faster than the inflation rate, and beef in particular is significantly pricier than it was last year.
Air India flight diverts to Nunavut airport after online security threat
An Air India flight, en route from Delhi to Chicago, was diverted to Iqaluit International airport in Nunavut Tuesday morning following an online security threat.
Lufthansa agrees to pay US$4 million penalty over treatment of Jewish passengers
Lufthansa has agreed to pay a US$4 million penalty for allegedly discriminating against Jewish passengers who were trying to board a connecting flight in Frankfurt in May 2022, the U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday.
Cold weather, even snow, hits parts of Eastern Canada while West stays mild
It will feel more like winter for some parts of Eastern Canada over the next few days, with single-digit highs and snow in the forecast.
NDP seek measures against India, as Canada trade minister works to reassure business
As Canada's decision to expel New Delhi's top envoy and five other diplomats makes front page news in India, International Trade Minister Mary Ng is trying to reassure Canadian businesses with ties to the country.
OPINION King Charles shrieked at shrink wrap and other things we didn't know about him
From his shrink wrap shock to his obsession with luxury, King Charles III's personal life seems to be filled with surprises, that’s according to a new book by biographer Tom Bower.
Federal union calls for Commons committee to investigate 3-day a week office mandate
A federal union is calling for a Commons committee to launch an investigation into the federal government's new return-to-office policy, saying there has been 'catastrophic failures' with the new mandate.
'Can't wait': Premier Ford says of Taylor Swift's upcoming Toronto concerts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is revealing that he’s eagerly awaiting Taylor Swift’s upcoming stint in Toronto as part of her hyper-successful Eras Tour.