Manitoulin Transport, a long-time supplier of essential goods in the Northwest Territories, is facing challenges with road closures due to climate change that are impacting its operations. The company recently experienced multiple trucks stranded on the Dempster Highway for an extended period due to severe weather conditions.
Rob Eskens, the vice president of sales at Manitoulin, expressed concerns about delays in delivering goods to communities and the financial burden of replacing expired products in stranded trucks. He highlighted the increased safety risks for drivers, noting that one driver had to be rescued during a highway closure.
Eskens urged the governments of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon to enhance road infrastructure safety measures and improve snow clearing operations to address the ongoing challenges. Binay Yadav, the director of transportation with the N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure, acknowledged the complexities of addressing climate-related infrastructure issues while facing budgetary constraints.
Yadav emphasized the rising costs of infrastructure projects due to factors like limited industry capacity, remote locations, and escalating material prices. He cited examples of significant cost increases in bridge construction materials over a short period.
In response to the climate challenges, the Yukon government is focusing on rehabilitating and reconstructing key corridors vulnerable to climate-related risks. The government spokesperson highlighted the substantial investment in road maintenance but did not disclose the funding required to address the growing infrastructure challenges.
Yadav mentioned the efforts of the N.W.T. Infrastructure department in collaborating with universities and researchers to leverage new technologies for forecasting climate impacts on infrastructure. The department is prioritizing staff safety during extreme weather conditions and seeking federal support to enhance infrastructure resilience.
Environment and Climate Change Canada outlined significant investments in climate adaptation initiatives, emphasizing the need for a strategic and collaborative approach to build resilience in the face of climate change impacts. The Canadian Centre for Climate Services is working closely with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to develop climate data technology relevant to northern regions.
As Manitoulin Transport evaluates the feasibility of road deliveries amidst worsening conditions, the company is exploring alternatives such as air freight. Eskens highlighted the financial implications of replacing expired goods and the need for closer collaboration on logistics in the North if conditions deteriorate further.