La Loche Residents Petition for a Road

Residents of Northern Saskatchewan observed that a lack of transportation routes hindered economic development in this region. As a result, they petitioned the provincial government to build a road to La Loche in 1950. The government considered this project unfeasible, citing a lack of available finances. Government officials also stated that it did not constitute a high priority project in Northern Saskatchewan. In response, volunteers from the area began to build the road by hand. Following this, the government built a winter road in 1960, and an all-season road in 1964. The residents of La Loche also asked the Department for financial assistance to proceed with plans for a Co-op store. The residents reported that the exorbitant prices charged at Hudson's Bay Company store, in addition to the already-high cost of northern living, were extortionate.