Saskatoon
Cumberland House, in northeast Saskatchewan, has been running low on groceries and supplies all week, due to the muddy conditions on Highway 123.
Premier says $3.3M on the way, but locals say it’s not enough
Pratyush Dayal · CBC News
· Posted: May 24, 2024 8:02 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
Leaders in Cumberland House have declared a state of emergency after the road into the community became impassable. (Submitted by Raven Chaboyer)Cumberland House has been running low on groceries and supplies all week due to the state of the only highway leading into the community.
Now, after recent rains effectively washed out the road, leaders in the northeast Saskatchewan community have declared a state of emergency.
“The deplorable and deteriorating conditions of Highway 123 put the health and well-being of our community members in jeopardy. With the support of Cumberland Cree Nation and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Eastern Region I, we are declaring a state of emergency in our region,” Cumberland House Mayor Ferlin McKay said in a news release on Friday.
“Essential things like milk, bread, baby formula and prescription medications are dwindling.”
WATCH | Road conditions limiting access to food, supplies in Cumberland House, Sask.:
Road conditions limiting access to food, supplies in Cumberland House, Sask.The community is already running low on groceries and supplies, and could remain isolated for another week due to the forecast rains.
Highway 123 is the only access road for the transportation of food, mail and fuel, as well as for emergency services that need to transport people out of the community.
Community leaders called on the provincial and federal governments to take “immediate action” to help them.
‘Priority’ for conversation, says MoeSaskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways has said it is spending $3.3 million on repairs to Highway 123 this summer, but Premier Scott Moe signalled on Thursday that more funding could be on the way.
“In the case of Cumberland, which is not the only community, but it’s the only access in and out, and so most certainly is a priority for conversation in the Ministry of Highways,” Moe said.
In a Thursday media availability, Premier Scott Moe said Highway 123 into Cumberland House is a ‘priority’ for conversation in the Ministry of Highways. (Don Somers/CBC)Moe added that future financial investment in Highway 123 will likely be “more and not less.”
“We’ll work with the community on any immediate challenges that they have and also work with the community on what the investment looks like for that road in the future.”
$3.3 million is not enough: residentRenee Carriere, a business owner and an educator in Cumberland House, said $3.3 million is not nearly enough, as that will only take care of the first three kilometres.
Carriere said there is no cell service on the highway, so if there were any emergencies or evacuations while the road is in this state, it would be utter chaos.
“I’m ashamed of the government … I challenged him to come here,” she said. “Have Mr. Scott Moe drive that highway.… Have him do it in the dark.”
She said only that would inform government leaders of the community’s true plight.
“We shouldn’t have to be begging for a good road.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pratyush Dayal covers climate change, immigration and race and gender issues among general news for CBC News in Saskatchewan. He has previously written for the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun, and the Tyee. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from UBC and can be reached at pratyush.dayal@cbc.ca
Follow Pratyush Dayal on XFollow Pratyush Dayal on Instagram
