Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Dec 17/01) - The possibility of a Nunavut-Manitoba road drew one step closer last week as Manitoba officials visited Rankin Inlet with pens in hand and money in their pockets.

The North-South team is now looking for some cash from Ottawa. "Everything's contingent on federal money," said Arviat MLA Kevin O'Brien.

Nunavut Transportation Minister Jack Anawak and his Manitoba counterpart, Steve Ashton, signed a memorandum of understanding that would see the two governments study the possibility of a road between northern Manitoba and the first planned stop in Nunavut, Arviat.

Signing the memo is a move closer to selecting a route. More importantly, each of the governments has put $250,000 the table.

The road could increase the $250 million in trade that flows between the two areas each year. Most of that comes in the form of Manitoba goods coming north.

"We're paying $5 or $6 for a bottle of pop," said O'Brien, suggesting a land-link will ease up the cost of Northern living.

A road could also lure some of 15,000 tourists that visit Churchill, Man., farther North for a true arctic experience.

"It is a win-win situation for both of us," said Anawak.