Conservative MP Joy Smith backtracks on remarks about Shoal Lake 40 road funding

Manitoba Conservative MP Joy Smith is backtracking on remarks she madeMondaywhen she said the federal government is committing $10 milliontobuilda permanent road linking Shoal Lake 40 First Nation with the mainland.

The Kildonan-St. Paul MP,who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming federal vote, had said Ottawa is committedto fund construction ofwhat's known as Freedom Road, which would bridge the island community on the Manitoba-Ontario border with the Trans-Canada Highway.

The cost forFreedom Road is anestimated $30 million, split between three levels of government. TheCity of Winnipeg and the Manitoba government have committed totheir part butthe federal government has not.

• As It Happens:Conservative MP calls on feds to help fund Shoal Lake road: no new money

Smith initiallytold CBC'sAs It Happens and Radio Noon programs thatshe learned of the government's supportafter she held a news conference on Monday morning, urging theConservativesspecifically, Natural Resources Minister GregRickfordto fund construction of the road.

"The province committed to $10 million. The city committed $10 million. You know, this is what I was calling on our government to do,'" Smith saidMonday afternoon.

"GregRickfordcalled me just a short time ago and said, 'Yes, the government was going to do that.'So I'm waiting for his confirmation and I thanked him very much for doing that."

A short time later, Smith told As It Happensshe had misspoken and said Rickford is not promising anynew funding for construction of Freedom Road.The minister has only agreed to its construction "in principle," shesaid.

During a visit to the First Nation in June, Rickfordpledged $1 million toward a design study for the Freedom Roadproject butrefused to commit fundstowardconstruction.

Shortly after Smith'snews conference, the Conservatives issued a statement reiterating thatit will pay $1 million toward a design study for Freedom Road.

Rickford's campaign manager told CBC Newsthe minister spoke with Shoal Lake 40 Chief Erwin Redsky about the project on Monday.

"He spoke to the chief this morning and reiterated our government's support for the project in principle, which has always been the case demonstrated by the fact that we've invested in the design of the project," the manager said.

When asked if that commitment in principle is based on payment for the study, the campaign manager said that was correct.

Under boil-water advisory for 18 years

Shoal Lake 40was cut off from the mainlanda century ago when an aqueduct was built to supply Winnipeg with fresh water.

Ironically, the First Nation has been under a boil-water advisory for the past 18 years becausemurky water flows into the community.

The City of Winnipeg, which shares the same water source with the Shoal Lake 40 and Shoal Lake 39 First Nations, says the Falcon River which has murky water because it flows through peatlands flows to the First Nation "with or without the diversion."

"Originally, the plan was to consume the water without treatment, so the clearer lake water was preferred. The natural outlet of the Falcon River was very close to the planned aqueduct inlet, so the river was diverted to a different part of the same lake," a city spokesperson stated in an email late Monday.

Smithsaid Shoal Lake 40 needspermanent infrastructure that would allow its residents to enter and exit the community year-round.

"A commitment by the federal government to partner with the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba to build the Freedom Road, would accomplish this,"she told reportersfromher office onHendersonHighway in Winnipeg.

• Shoal Lake reserve residents weep as Ottawa balks at funding road construction
• Freedom Road campaign aims to raise $10M for Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

Cuyler Cotton,apolicy analyst for the band, has told CBC News in the past that because the community is surrounded by water, and served by a ferry that can break down at times, it is difficult forambulances to get there.

• Ferry breaks, no way in or out of Manitoba's Shoal Lake

He added thatdrowning deathsoccur in the channel,which residents have to cross to collect mail or buygroceries.

Building a permanent, all-weather road would not only providereliable access to the mainland, it would also allow the community tobuildan economically viable water treatment plant.

On Monday,Cottontold The Canadian Pressthe federal governmenthas not put anything in writing. He also said the agreement to fund a design study falls far short of a commitment tobuild the road.

"The fear is, it is meaningless," he said.

The design of the road is scheduled to be completed by next year. There is no timeline for the construction of the road.

'We need that commitment,' saysmember

"We have a solution sitting right in front of us and, you know, we need that commitment," Shoal Lake 40 member Sharon RedskysaidMonday.

"I know that everybody wants to do the right thing and the government can do that."

Smith's support for Freedom Road, which came after she visited the First Nation recently, was met with skepticism from MaryAnn Mihychuk, the Liberal candidate in Smith's riding.

"The fact that it took her 10 years to make a trip to Shoal Lake makes you wonder where she's been for the last 10 years," Mihychuk said.

• JustinTrudeaupromises road for Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

Fellow Liberal Robert-Falcon Ouellette, who is running in the Winnipeg Centre riding, agreed that Smith should have said something earlier.

"It is unfortunate that Joy Smith, a Conservative MP who is not running for re-election, did not take the opportunity to speak up on the issue while she was in government," hiscampaign stated in a news release.

Smith said she will use the time she has left in office to urge Conservative LeaderStephen Harper to make the Conservatives' commitment to Freedom Road more concrete.