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January/February 2008 issue	In this issue Table of Contents Feature: Polar vision Feature: Carbon cemetery Feature: North Shore highway The Inside Story Editor's Notebook Reverberations Explorer À la carte Mosaic

On the road Writer Christopher Frey embarked on a two-week journey through Quebec’s Lower North Shore to learn about the region’s rich history and culture and to discover what a planned road through the isolated towns and villages might bring Story by Christopher Frey
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Introduction
For over a century, the residents of Quebec’s Lower North Shore have been waiting for a road to connect their neighbouring communities. They continue to wait though the idea was revisited during Premier Jean Charest’s 2006 election campaign. The 5,000 residents in the 14 remaining communities think of themselves as the Forgotten People and have dubbed their region the Forgotten Labrador. The nickname holds merit — the only hint of modernity that has touched the region is the snowmobiles necessary to access the remote communities. Though the new road will offer better access to urban areas and modern conveniences, it also poses a threat to the area’s simple way of life. Writer Christopher Frey took to snowmobile and traveled the Lower North Shore to explore the area and the meaning of a road to local residents.

What will a new road mean for the communities that make up the Lower North Shore?

“It would offer people a choice of free movement, and economically, it would be a boost to the area. Either way, it’s going to bring changes I’m not sure we’re prepared for, or want.”

“The road will change things more quickly here. The people will not have the freedom they’re used to, and what they’re getting will not compensate for what they’re going to lose.”

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