The Ontario government has announced it will increase its annual funding for the Winter Roads Program to $13 million to build and maintain nearly 3,200 kilometres of winter roads in the North.

The increased funding will help more than 24,000 people in remote areas continue to connect to jobs, services and family during the winter months and will support the transport of essential goods to support local economies.

“Winter roads are a lifeline for northern communities that keep people connected and help local businesses move goods and supplies,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment will strengthen the seasonal road network, improve access to services and help Northern Ontario remain resilient in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.”

The province is investing $8 million this year to help 32 remote First Nation communities and the Town of Moosonee build and operate nearly 3,200 kilometres of winter roads. These seasonal routes provide connections to all-season roads and make it easier for communities to bring in essential goods and services such as food, medical supplies and construction materials. Community members also rely on winter roads to access cultural and sporting events, visit friends and family and travel to health care and other appointments.

The government is also investing $5 million through the Bridges and Culverts Stream of the Winter Roads Program to help remote First Nation communities purchase and install pre-engineered bridges and culverts and to repair existing water-crossing structures along the winter roads network. These improvements make seasonal routes safer and help keep goods, services and people moving across the North.

“Our government is investing nearly $600 million to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across Northern Ontario this year,” said Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “This funding will help First Nations and other communities across the North stay connected, protecting Ontario’s economy, keeping people moving and allowing Ontario families to access essential goods and services during the winter months.”

At 3,200 kilometres, Ontario’s winter roads network is the longest in Canada. The network serves a population of approximately 24,000 across 32 remote Indigenous communities and the Town of Moosonee. Typically, these roads are open for approximately six to 11 weeks per year, from late January until the end of March.

In 2025-26, the Winter Roads Program – Bridges and Culverts Stream funding will support the installation of pre-engineered bridges on winter roads and geotechnical studies to support future bridge installations on water crossings across the winter roads network.

The province is also investing over $16 million in Northern Ontario to support repairs for municipal roads and bridges that connect people to jobs, support the movement of goods and stimulate economic growth through the 2025-26 Connecting Links program.