Point of Privilege Resolution No. 2-03M

WHEREAS, in 1999 the Department of National Defense unilaterally and without explanation closed the Strathcona road , thus dividing the Rural Municipality of Dundurn No. 314 in two, resulting in social, cultural and economic hardship for the people who used the road and live on the West side of the Municipality;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Provincial Government rescind Order in Council 573/54 which gave control and administration of the road allowances within Camp Dundurn to DND; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Minister of National Defense honour the commitment made to the council of the Rural Municipality of Dundurn No. 314 and re-open the Strathcona road.

Response From Honourable Mark Wartman, Minister of Highways and Transportation:

Thank you for your November 21, 2003 letters requesting an update on the status of the department's review of the Road Naming Policy, and for providing me with the additional resolution regarding Strathcona Road submitted by the RM of Dundurn No. 314 and passed at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Midterm Convention in Regina, November 6 and 7, 2003.

Regarding resolution No. 2-03M, Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation sees merit in the concept of a road link between Highway 219 and Highway 11 in the vicinity of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, as a way to support economic and social development opportunities by providing a direct east-west access to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and surrounding area. In recent communication with the RM of Dundurn No. 314 and Whitecap Dakota First Nation, it was suggested that taking action to rescind the Order in Council might not serve as the best strategy towards obtaining an access road through the military base to link Highway 11 to Highway 219.

The RM of Dundurn and Whitecap Dakota First Nation were encouraged to continue working via diplomatic channels with the Department of National Defense, through the recently formed working group being facilitated by Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs, with representation from the RM of Dundurn, the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and the Department of National Defense. Department staff are available to provide any technical information to this working group that may be required.

Regarding the Road Naming Policy, the department is in the process of reviewing the policy. A draft report is expected to be complete in early March, 2004. A number of options are being considered, and consultation with SARM will be done prior to completion of the review.