NDP wants short-term and long-term fixes for Highway 123

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for emergency relief measures to help Cumberland House.

Last week, the village – which has a population of around 2,000 – declared a state of emergency over issues around Highway 123, which has been deemed impassable. In addition to hampering travel, the poor road conditions make it difficult for people to access food, fuel and health services.

After speaking with local leaders, the NDP is calling for short-term measures to address the needs of people in the area as well as long-term solutions.

The short-term measures called for by the opposition include deploying road builders to ensure road safety and maintain essential traffic for families, goods and supplies. The NDP also implored the government to provide no-cost airlifts if necessary.

Cumberland House has declared a state of emergency over the status of Highway 123. (Veronica Favel/Submitted)

Saskatchewan NPD Leader Carla Beck said local leaders have spoken about the need to improve access in order to ensure food, fuel and medical supplies can reach the community.

“And also a real fear that if there were an accident or a serious medical emergency, it would be very very difficult without the airlift for people to get out of the community and access that care,” Beck told reporters on Monday.

“There are other things that we’ve heard from community members – an elder getting stuck on the road, (and) students at the school in Cumberland not being able to go to events that you normally would expect kids to be able to go to because they can’t get out of the community.”

Last week, the provincial government said it had plans to invest $3.3 million into Highway 123 during this year’s construction season.

Premier Scott Moe said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has been in contact with the community, adding that Highways minister Lori Carr will travel to Cumberland House to meet with the community.

Moe said there are a number of routes in the province – including logging roads near his home in Shellbrook – that are in need of repairs, and said long-term plans need to be developed.

The premier said it’s important for rural roads to be well maintained to ensure goods can flow into rural communities, “but also so that people can get in and out for whatever services they might need and some of that is health care services.”

Moe said the road will be stabilized this summer.

“The government’s really been asleep at the switch, as this emergency has really had costs for this community,” said NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon.

“What we know is these constant Band-Aids on Highway 123 are super expensive and aren’t working,” he added.

“Responding to emergency after emergency isn’t good enough. We need a long-term solution.”

Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette said frustration is beginning to mount as many leaders over the years have raised issues with the highway.

“Why is a community as big as it, at the end of the road, feeling the way they are feeling – frustrated and unhappy?” Vermette asked.

“They just want to be treated like the rest of Saskatchewan citizens, and that’s all they’re asking. They’re tired of the Band-Aid s