After more than 2 ½ years of attempting to convince the Government to recognize the historical significance of PTH #44 and the role it played in the movement of goods and settlers in the development of Manitoba as a Province and Canada as a Country, I am pleased to announce that my Private Members Legislation, entitled The Historic Highway #1 Act, finally became a reality. This Legislation, proposed and developed by myself, received unanimous support by all political parties in the Legislature, and I thank all provincial politicians on all sides of the House in supporting this piece of Legislation.

Existing PTH #44 was the first entry point into Manitoba and the rest of Canada from Eastern Canada, and as a result settlers and goods essential to the settlement and development of Manitoba and the rest of Canada traveled through our area. PTH #44, known in 1920 as PTH #1, served as part of the first Transcanada Highway system until 1956 when the “new” Transcanada Highway was completed South of #44 which proceeded through Hadashville and Richer on its way to Winnipeg. Before the new Transcanada Highway was constructed, PTH #44 was known as Highway #1. When the new Transcanada Highway was constructed in 1956, our road became PTH #4 and finally in 1968 it became known as the present day Highway #44.

In 1920, our highway was little more than a bush road from the Ontario border, proceeding through West Hawk Lake, Rennie, Whitemouth, Seddons Corner, Beausejour, Tyndall, Garson and finally Lockport and Winnipeg. Sections of bog were crossed by a moss covered corduroy roadway. During the Depression, “reliefers” and local people were employed to complete the highway, and by 1936, the highway was hard surfaced with asphalt. Most of the highway was constructed using horsedrawn equipment and manpower. During one mosquito infested summer in the 1930’s, many of the horses came down with sleeping sickness. During the construction, an unmarked grave was discovered near West Hawk Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park marking the final resting place of one of our pioneers.

The recognition of PTH #44 as having historical significance to the settlement and development of Manitoba and Canada, will draw tourists off the existing Transcanada Highway into our beautiful area, and will only serve to enhance our businesses, and of course, employment in our area. Many tourists will also be encouraged to travel along the Laverendrye Trail, which also progresses through the Whiteshell Provincial Park and the communities of Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Powerview – Pine Falls and Sagkeeng First Nation.

The historical significance demands not only recognition for our area, it also demands an investment from Government in terms of adequate maintenance so that residents and tourists are assured that PTH #44 will be maintained to appropriate safety standards.

I acknowledge the support and encouragement I have had in respect of this Legislation from the Eastman Regional Development Corporation, The Eastern Manitoba Tourism Association and all the Municipalities through which PTH #44 goes.