This is the time of year that I make sure that I travel to visit as many winter roads communities as possible.

What is clear from my visits is that winter road accessible communities have many unique concerns.

The winter road itself creates a concern in many different ways. The opening and closing dates for winter road travel are often uncertain. In recent years climate change has added to the uncertainty surrounding winter road travel.

Once the winter road is open there is often a very limited time to bring in everything from fuel to building supplies that are needed for the rest of the year. There can also often be weight restrictions and other travel limitations.

Once the winter roads are open, access to and from the community changes dramatically. Food costs drop. Access to everything from health care to school trips becomes much easier. For a few weeks or months the community has the kind of access most Manitobans take for granted.

In community after community that I visit I hear how important the winter roads are. I also hear how important it is to ensure there is proper air service for the rest of the year.

Increasingly there is talk of all-weather roads access. The province has begun the process of extending the all- weather road network. I believe that the federal government also has a part in the building of this road network.

As NDP MP for Churchill riding, I will be continuing to visit on winter roads over the next few weeks. I will be continuing to speak out on behalf of the winter road communities throughout the year.