May 27, 2005

YORK LANDING—Manitoba will commit $300,000 to expand and improve ferry services for the northern communities of York Landing and Split Lake, Transportation and Government Services Minister Ron Lemieux announced here today.

“These changes will provide local residents with better access to the provincial road system and add to the quality of life in the communities,” said Lemieux. “When transportation is improved, potential for community economic growth increases.”

The ferry service will be expanded to run twice a day, seven days a week between Split Lake and York Landing. It currently operates one trip each day, five days a week. Statistics show the vessel annually transports about 1,000 vehicles and 3,000 people between the communities.

“Our Northern Development Strategy is a blueprint for strengthening the foundations for economic growth through carefully planned investment initiatives,” said Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton. “Over the last six years, we have more than doubled our financial commitment through these initiatives to upgrade Manitoba’s northern transportation infrastructure.”

Since 1999, the Manitoba Government has increased northern infrastructure spending to approximately 25 per cent of the overall transportation capital construction budget to support economic development opportunities.