Sask. wants to finish a long-planned road to Fort McMurray. Alberta's not as sure about it
The Saskatchewan government says it will finish a nine-kilometre stretch of road on its side of the border in hopes of making an all-weather road between La Loche and Fort McMurray a reality.
"An all-weather road between these two northern communities will give employers access to a valuable workforce in northern Saskatchewan while providing gainful employment and economic development opportunities for the people and communities of this region," Premier Scott Moe said in a news release.
In a letter, Moe is asking Alberta premier Jason Kenney to do the same.
The road was first announced in 2005 to mark both provinces' centennials.
Forty-four kilometres of the 53-kilometre road required on Saskatchewan's side were completed in 2008, according to the province.
Alberta has never broken ground on its side.
In a statement to CTV News, the Alberta government said it "completed some preliminary work after the initial announcement."
The government said it's examining Moe's proposal.
However, it's also exploring "other egress routes" such as Highway 686 and the East Clearwater Highway.
"Alberta and Saskatchewan are strong partners in economic growth," the statement said.
The Saskatchewan government said "pre-construction" work will start this year, and its aiming to complete the road in 2023.
--With reporting from Jonathan Charlton
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.