Ontario’s worst road still in political limbo

The question of who has responsibility for one of Ontario's worst roads is still in limbo.  

A recent decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal has determined that the Municipality of Sioux Lookout is not responsible for the maintenance of the Pelican Falls Road. The Director of the Northern Nishnawabe Education Council, who has been maintaining the road, says it’s time for the provincial and federal governments to come to the table.

Jennifer Manitowabi, executive director of the NNEC, says her organization recently met with INAC to say not only have they been maintaining the road, but have also spent $100,000 on legal fees over the dispute. 

Manitowabi says the Education Council needs a decision to the 13 year-old dispute soon.

Pelican Falls Road is the only access road to the high school outside of Sioux Lookout. 

Manitowabi says the dispute has been frustrating and adds that the safety of the road is a major concern. 

According to Manitowabi, the NNEC is receiving weekly reports of unsafe conditions.

Sanding and plowing of the road has been paid for by the Lac Seul First Nation just to ensure it has been accessible all winter. 

Manitowabi says a meeting with INAC is slated for next month. 

The NNEC Board of Directors will be meeting on March 29 to decide what to do if the road washes out.