RATIFICATION VOTE FOR
PROPOSED WE-TUM WINTER ROAD 2010
BACKGROUND:
The Moose Cree First Nation membership identified (requested) a highway to Cochrane in the MCFN 1998 Strategic Plan. The membership reaffirmed this in the updated Strategic Plan of 2006.
A membership meeting was held on June 30, 2009 at the EPR Centre to discuss a proposed winter road for 2010. Information was provided at this meeting including a map that had three (3) options; the Moose Factory option, Mattagami option, and Moosonee option.
On September 30, 2009 the Chief and Council passed Band Council Resolution No. 2009-10/894 to:
- Support and direct the Administration to proceed with the permitting and funding processes required for the construction of an interim winter road in 2010 from Moose Factory to Otter Rapids;
- To hold a referendum vote as per the “General Rules for Ratification Votes” to be held on November 19, 2009;
- To hold information sessions with the Elders, Youth, Men’s and Women’s groups.
After more research was done on the three (3) options for the winter road, it was discovered that the Mattagami option would not be workable because this route crosses the Missinabi Provincial Park and it would take at minimum of 2 years to obtain the necessary approvals. The Moosonee option was ruled out because this route crosses a creek with very fast water that rarely freezes. Therefore, the chosen route is the Moose Factory option as noted on the map in this brochure, shown as “Moose Factory to Otter Rapids”.
Proposed We-Tum Winter Road Map.
INFORMATION SESSIONS:
An information session with the Elders was held on September 30, 2009. Additional information sessions will be held as follows:
- November 3rd: Women’s Group @ EPR Centre
- November 10th: Youth Group @ Youth Centre
- November 12th: Men’s Group @ EPR Centre
COST OF PROJECT:
Proposals for funding have been submitted to Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for $500,200 and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for $500,200. The estimated cost of the project is $1.1 million. million.
PERMIT PROCESS:
The permit process has begun and is expected to take a minimum of 60 days for approval. If approved this will allow the project to begin in December and will be subject to weather conditions.
VOTING:
A ratification vote will be held for the membership to decide on whether to accept or not accept the proposed winter road. For details on the voting, please see the additional information posted on this site.
Proposed We-Tum Winter Road Ratification Vote information.
Proposed We-Tum Winter Road Ratification Vote Posponed.