By Volker Beckmann
Thompson, Hub of the North, is a city of 14,000 situated in the heart of northern Manitoba, an area of 440,000 sq. km, almost the size of Germany, yet with only .001% of its population. It’s a big, open space!
Most northern communities are Indigenous based with a few urban communities separated by large distances of remote, untouched boreal forest. Many communities have no all-weather roads and are only accessible by airplanes or ice roads in winter.
Transportation is a critical element to link First Nations communities together and to provide economic and personal connections amongst themselves and to the south. Supplying food, fuel, materials, health care, and even judicial services is extremely expensive. These factors hamper development and hinder a safe and secure quality of life for many, even in the midst of abundant natural resources.
To explore transportation challenges and possibilities and seek the benefits therein of sustainable growth, economic development, and better health and social parameters, the Thompson Chamber of Commerce will host the first Northern Transportation Symposium in Thompson on September 5 and 6, 2024.
Accessibility delayed is accessibility denied.
For too long, reliable, and affordable year-round transportation has been discussed but never delivered. Instead, the North has had to make do with whatever seasonal services were at hand and at sky-high prices. Clearly, geography is a problem. The locations of many northern communities are hundreds of kilometres away from permanent infrastructure and the terrain is difficult. Water crossings, rock outcrops, bogs, muskeg, and permafrost soil make road construction extremely expensive. But improvements and technological advances are coming, and climate change makes adaptation imperative.
Winter roads are in decline and calls have been made for hundreds of kilometres of all weather roads. Many communities depend on unreliable winter roads to obtain heavy or bulky freight. Supplying food, fuel, materials, health care, and even judicial services is often difficult and expensive. There are solutions. Air transport is the only year-round transport for most northern communities. Thompson’s regional airport has some 30,000 movements a year and is currently building a new $120 million facility. Presentations will be given on how this development will be beneficial and essential for the region. This two-day symposium will bring together transportation providers and experts to explore opportunities for growth and innovation to better connect the North.
Topics of discussion will include various modes such as air, road, rail, as well as new methods of travel and cargo hauling including airships, drones, electric vehicles, and even railbuses. Indigenous economic reconciliation will be a key factor in moving forward by protecting the air, land, and waters in all areas of sustainable development.
Dr Barry Prentice, Director of Manitoba’s Transport Institute will be one of the keynote speakers. He observes that “Technological advances in electric and hydrogen propulsion of vehicles are happening in other parts of the world that could benefit Northern Manitoba. Northern Manitoba has abundant resources that will remain untapped until access is obtained.” Knowledgeable speakers and experts will come from Thompson, Winnipeg, The Pas, Calgary, and even St Therese Point First Nation.
Chuck Davidson, CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, will be the moderator and MC. Volker Beckmann, director for the Thompson Chamber of Commerce and Event Manager, explains that attendees at the Symposium will hear from experts in their field and participate in sessions to identify challenges and promising ideas for improvement. He states: “Thompson and Northern Manitoba can be a testing ground for newer and cleaner forms of transportation that are coming in the next 5 to 10 years. Our communities and stakeholders need to learn of these advancements and benefits, participate, and can act to lead the way. Everyone can benefit from a better transportation system.”
For more information on registration and participation in this Symposium, please contact the Thompson Chamber of Commerce at 204 677 4155 or email them at [email protected].
Want to know more about NeeStaNan?
Some of the people behind the new rail corridor from Amery to Fort Nelson will be making a presentation about the corridor and a new port.
This is your chance to ask questions about the line, the port, the ownership.
What will this mean to isolated far north communities? How will communities along the Arctic Gateway line benefit? How will Churchill benefit? Are there downsides? If so, what might they be?
If you would like to know more before the symposium, contact Dorothy Dobbie 204-940-2716 or [email protected] and I will send you a digital copy of the June issue of Manitoba Lifestyles 55 which provides a complete overview.
– Dorothy Dobbie
