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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Berens River sues Hydro over Lake Winnipeg project
Berens River First Nation is suing Manitoba Hydro and the provincial and federal governments over a nearly 50-year-old hydroelectric project it alleges has devastated the Lake Winnipeg environment and fishery. The First Nation, about 275 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg on the eastern shore of the lake, filed the statement of claim in the Court of King's Bench this week over the public utility's Lake Winnipeg regulation project, which began in 1976. The project manipulates water levels on Lake Winnipeg for power generation. It includes the Jenpeg generating station and diversion channels that increase the outflow of water from the lake into the Nelson River. 'Manitoba Hydro's operation of the LWR project has significantly altered the lands and waters of Lake Winnipeg and has had devastating impacts on BRFN's treaty rights and reserve lands,' the court papers say. It alleges the project has worsened water quality, flooded land, eroded shoreline and affected traditional harvesting, hunting and trapping areas. Flooding has affected housing, the claim said. The lawsuit says fish and fish habitat have been affected, with spawning grounds damaged. It goes on to say low water levels during the spring and summer fishing seasons expose rocks, mud and sand bars, creating hazards for fishers, and affecting where fish are located in the water. The fish have moved further from the shore, in search of deeper, colder water, which has disrupted the community's ability to pass down knowledge of prime fishing locations to youth, the court papers say. The project has also affected habitat for animals, such as beavers and muskrats, and traditionally gathered plants, including wild rice, have become scarce. The First Nation seeks an environmental assessment of the project and a say in decisions that affect the lake. The court filing claims no environmental assessment was conducted, nor have any comprehensive studies or examinations been completed into the effects of the project on the lake, environment or treaty rights. The allegations haven't been heard in court and the public utility and governments have yet to file statements of defence. The province granted Hydro an interim licence to operate the project in 1970. The public utility applied for a final licence in 2010, leading the Clean Environment Commission to hold public hearings, in 2011, about the project's effects on the lake. The province granted a final licence in 2021, which expires in August 2026. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. The Berens River court filing claims the environment commission's final report, issued in 2015, relied on self-reported data from Hydro and no independent assessment or technical studies were completed. Berens River participated in the 2011 licensing hearing and consultations, but claims it didn't 'receive adequate capacity support,' which hurt its ability to participate, the court papers say. The First Nation wants monetary damages for the cost to remediate reserve land, including for claimed damage to structures, docks and homes; and damages related to the community's alleged hampered ability to exercise its rights under Treaty 5. The claim seeks a court-ordered injunction barring Hydro from operating the regulation project in a way that causes nuisance or trespass to the reserve land. It wants 'appropriate and sufficient' technology installed to monitor the effects of the project. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Manitoba premier agrees to support reconstruction in region of war-torn Ukraine
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks during a press conference in Winnipeg, Friday, May 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski CALGARY — Manitoba's government has signed an agreement to support an area of Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts, including in the areas of agriculture and utilizing the expertise of Manitoba Hydro. Premier Wab Kinew made the announcement in Calgary following the G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been scheduled to meet with Kinew but left early to go home. Zelenskyy told the G7 that overnight Russian attacks killed 15 people and injured more than 150 in Ukraine and he called for support from allies. Kinew virtually signed the memorandum of understanding with Governor Oleksandr Produkin to support the southern Kherson region, which is partly occupied by Russian forces. The premier said the partnership reflects Manitoba's unwavering support for Ukraine, as the province has welcomed more than 30,000 Ukrainians since the Russian invasion began in 2022. 'I believe the West collectively has a responsibility to Ukraine,' Kinew said Tuesday at a gathering in Calgary. 'For many decades, the West has told Ukraine, 'if you embrace democracy and you embrace human rights, then we will stand up for you.' 'Now that (they) are the front lines of the war in the global battle against totalitarianism, it is up to Canada and other democracies to back up those words with action.' Kinew said another reason for the support is more personal. 'Manitobans have shed blood with your people on the front lines of your battlefields,' Kinew said. 'I am a native man and there's a young native man from northern Manitoba by the name of Austin Lathlin-Bercier who gave his life in Ukraine fighting alongside the Ukrainian soldiers.' Lathlin-Bercier, 25, from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, ventured into battle in Ukraine against invading Russian forces soon after the war broke out last year. Kinew said a security agent at the Manitoba legislature also returned home after spending a year on the front lines. 'The reason why we want to sign the memorandum is to make sure the mothers whose children have given blood alongside your soldiers will know that they did that in service of a noble victory,' he said. The agreement calls for collaboration in areas including agriculture, economic development, education and health care. Kinew said he would like to start sending aid immediately. 'We would like not only to offer energy equipment, but we also have Manitoba Hydro International,' he said. 'It previously has done work in Ukraine in the 1990s, so we would not only offer equipment but expertise.' Appearing on Zelenskyy's behalf, Ukrainian ambassador Yuliya Kovaliv welcomed Manitoba's help. 'There's close ties between Ukrainians and our big Ukrainian community in Canada,' said Kovaliv. 'In my estimation, we are up to two million Ukrainian Canadians across the country.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
First Nation sues Manitoba Hydro, governments over 'devastating' effects of Lake Winnipeg regulation
Social Sharing A First Nation on the shore of Lake Winnipeg has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Manitoba Hydro, as well as the provincial and federal governments, over a decades-old hydroelectric project it alleges has had negative effects on the lake, nearby reserve lands and the community's way of life. Berens River First Nation, roughly 275 kilometres north of Winnipeg, filed the document in Manitoba's Court of King's Bench Tuesday over Hydro's Lake Winnipeg regulation project, which began operation in 1976. "Our treaty rights have been infringed upon. Our people can no longer fish where their ancestors fished. Our medicines no longer grow where grandmothers once harvested," Chief Hartley Everett said at a news conference in Winnipeg. The community, which entered into Treaty 5 with the Crown in 1875, said in its statement of claim it also wants an environmental assessment of the project and inclusion in future decisions affecting Lake Winnipeg, describing the impacts of the project as "devastating" for the community. "This is not only a legal matter. It is moral and it's a spiritual one — the land is our life, the water is our spirit. We are not here as victims — we are here as protesters, as leaders and as treaty partners demanding justice," Everett said. None of the allegations in the statement of claim have been proven in court. Manitoba Hydro and the provincial NDP government wouldn't comment on a matter before the courts, and CBC News did not hear back Tuesday from the federal Liberal government. The project, which lets the Crown hydroelectric corporation manipulate water levels on Lake Winnipeg to generate power, includes the Jenpeg generating station and a series of diversion channels that increase the outflow capacity from Lake Winnipeg into the Nelson River, according to Hydro. The statement of claim says it has caused problems for the First Nation including poor water quality, flooding and loss of traditional areas. It's also caused problems for fishers in the area, as fish leave the shore, and boats and equipment get damaged by rocks and sandbars uncovered when water levels drop to an unnaturally low level, the claim alleges. Berens River resident Harrison McKay said he's seen that first-hand, noting it's become hard to make a living fishing in the area — and saying the walleye quotas he has have become "useless." "Nets are not cheap. Motors are not cheap. It's like buying a vehicle," said McKay, who added he's been a fisherman for about 40 years but hasn't fished much for close to the last decade. "The fish that you're supposed to catch on the channel, where … my dad and them used to fish are no longer there." Greg McIvor, who works with Berens River's chief and council, called the community "very fish-oriented people" whose land "was traditionally a hub for the whole east side, going into northwest Ontario and northern Manitoba." "They maintained this strong connection to the lands and the waters and the rivers — and all of that has been impacted and affected by various reservoirs and control structures," he said. The statement of claim alleges lake levels manipulated to be higher than normal have also caused flooding on reserve lands, covering roads with water, causing mould in housing and leading to at least one home being condemned because of erosion. Animals like beavers and muskrats have also "become increasingly scarce," as have plants such as wild rice, berries and ginger root, it says. Environmental assessment While Manitoba's Clean Environment Commission held hearings on the effects of the project in 2011 and issued a report in 2015, the statement of claim says that report was not technically an environmental assessment. Instead, it "relied on self-reported data from Manitoba Hydro" and "there was no comprehensive independent assessment or third-party technical studies or reports completed," the lawsuit claims. It also says while the First Nation participated in those hearings and consultation on the licence, it "did not receive adequate capacity support" and its participation "was therefore constrained, and [it] was not able to fully participate." The report also highlighted concerns including an "inability to properly assess the impacts of [the project] on shoreline erosion due to lack of data and studies," according to the lawsuit. As a result, the claim said the First Nation "rejects some of the conclusions of the report and remains concerned that the evidence relied on was that of the proponent, Manitoba Hydro." Bruce McIvor, legal counsel for the First Nation, said there were "a lot of shortcomings" in that report — and it's "far past the time for a proper, full environmental assessment." "Berens River is owed that, all First Nations around the lake are owed that, the people of Manitoba are owed that — and importantly, the lake itself is owed a proper environmental assessment." The statement of claim is seeking an order to have "appropriate and sufficient" monitoring technology installed and a comprehensive study done to assess the impacts of the project. The filing says it's also seeking injunctions stopping Hydro from operating the project in a way that it alleges negatively affects the community's lands and treaty rights, but what its future holds will "be the basis of the conversation between Manitoba and Berens River," the lawyer said.
CBC
13-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Hundreds of Manitoba wildfire evacuees heading home on weekend
Two weeks after being forced from their communities by wildfire threats, hundreds of Manitobans will soon be going home. "We are allowing folks to re-enter Cranberry Portage starting at 8 a.m. [Saturday] morning, so that's very exciting news for all the folks there that have been evacuated," said Lori Forbes, emergency co-ordinator for the rural municipality of Kelsey in northwestern Manitoba. "I'm just so happy that they can go home. They want to stop eating out. They want to quit paying for hotel rooms. People want to get back to work, just get back to their everyday routine." Close to 440 people were ordered out of the community, about 35 kilometres southeast of Flin Flon, on May 31. Power was lost as fires consumed hydro poles in the region and roads were at risk of being closed, which would limit fuel and food supplies or even trap residents. The decision was made the clear out the community. The majority of evacuees fled to Winnipeg, while some went to The Pas, which is much closer. Forbes said provincial fire officials have told her they have a good handle on the fires and feel Cranberry Portage is no longer at any risk. "Power has since been restored and is very stable, [and] all those burned power poles in the fires that kind of surrounded Cranberry Portage have been repaired," she said. "Manitoba Hydro just jumps so fast to these emergencies. They do an amazing job." She's encouraging people to stop in The Pas to get groceries on their way back. The closest centre for big grocery runs is Flin Flon, but that city is still under evacuation, "so that's clearly not going to be [an option]," Forbes said. The town of Snow Lake and community of Sherridon are also set to welcome people back on Saturday at 8 a.m. "We're very pleased to say that we dodged a very big bullet here. Everyone's homes are still here, their businesses are still here," Snow Lake Mayor Ron Scott said Friday. That evacuation order was first put in place three days after the community, about 590 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, declared a local state of emergency as strong winds fuelled the massive Flin Flon blaze and pushed it toward the town, clogging the air with smoke. The town has about 1,100 permanent residents, and there is also a camp that houses 400-450 employees of the Hudbay Minerals mine. "We had a large crew of volunteers that stayed behind and did an enormous amount of work to get the town prepared for whatever nature might throw at us," Scott said Friday. "Now that the fires have laid down low, we're not 100 per cent out of the woods, but it's been judged that things are safe now." Due to all of that work — clearing brush and trees, improving the firefighting equipment (sprinklers, pumps, hoses) and bringing in materials to better protect structures — "the town and the main employers are actually in much better shape now going forward to deal with whatever happens for the rest of the summer," Scott said. "It's going to feel good to get everybody back and get back to normal operations." The notice about the return was posted on Snow Lake's Facebook page Friday morning after a council meeting, Scott said. Returnees are being asked to stock up on groceries and other essential supplies before going back. Everyone must maintain a prepared go-bag in the event things take a turn and the town needs to be evacuated again. Residents are also being advised that the town office will be closed on June 16 to allow staff time to catch up on things from the past week. Sheryl Matheson, the deputy mayor of Sherridon, posted on that community's Facebook page that the evacuation order is being lifted and re-entry being allowed. "Critical infrastructure has not been impacted but it is recommended to run all house taps for five minutes to flush the water lines. Ensure you run both cold and hot taps," the notice says. People may also encounter debris in their yards, spoiled food in their fridges and freezers and possible water in their homes as collateral damage from the fire fight, the post says. Nearly 21,000 people in total have been registered with the Canadian Red Cross as Manitoba wildfire evacuees. As of Thursday, there were 21 active wildfires in Manitoba, including nine classified as out of control, the province said. There has been a total of 116 wildfires in Manitoba to date, above the average of 107 total for this time of year. Of those 116, 103 were caused by people, eight were sparked by natural causes and five are under investigation, the province's fire situation report says. The fires have consumed 829,967 hectares.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘They made everyone feel so special with their love'
LAC DU BONNET — Mourners wiped away tears and shared a fond memories as they paid tribute to Susan and Richard Nowell, the couple who died May 13 as a wildfire ripped through homes on Wendigo Road in this tight-knit community. There almost weren't enough seats in the town's community centre Friday as nearly 700 friends, family, and community members gathered to remember the Nowells at a 90-minute celebration of life. The stage was filled with brightly coloured flowers and a collage of photographs. Emmett Nowell, the couple's youngest son, looked at the large crowd and took a deep breath, to steady himself before speaking. A service Friday celebrated the lives of Lac du Bonnet residents Richard and Susan Nowell. 'They made everyone feel so special with their love,' said Emmett, who was the first family member to speak. 'I could really stand up here and talk about them forever.' 'My parents have taught me everything I know, from riding a bike, to fishing, to learning how to treat others. They showed me to never worry about anything and have supported me through everything I've wanted to do. I know they will always be watching over us.' Sue, 61, worked at Mrs. Lucci's Resource Centre, a local non-profit that operates a café and thrift store. She had supported the town's free food program, Lunch is on Us. Rich, 59, was employed by Manitoba Hydro for more than 36 years. The operating and electrical technician worked out of the Great Falls generating station 24 kilometres north of Lac du Bonnet They met more than 30 years ago in Island Lake in northern Manitoba, where they quickly fell in love, said Rich's sister Candace Skromeda. They moved to Lac du Bonnet, where they had two sons, Ryland and Emmett. Ava Skromeda said she was the daughter her aunt and uncle never had. They possessed a special kind of love that filled the room. 'Our family is always loud, always laughing, and they always seemed to be in the middle of that,' said Ava. She said Sue was the queen of one-liners, a talented baker, and she had the most contagious laugh. Ava said Sue's baking was so good she was meant to be in charge of the wedding cake on the day she got married. She said Sue had already started planning the colours, flavours, and layers of the cake. Her relationship with Rich was completely different. 'He called me the most annoying person he's ever met,' she said with a chuckle. 'He was always fixing something, pranking someone, or starting food fights.' Ava said she remembers Rich starting a food fight at Easter involving pies. 'His smirk meant he had either done something dumb or was about to,' she said. She said her aunt and uncle are gone too soon and she'll never understand why. 'I promise to carry your spirits with me, to love fiercely, laugh loudly, and never stop being myself,' she said. Ryland choked up while speaking about his parents. 'They were two of the most selfless, compassionate people I have ever met,' he said. Ryland said his parents showed their love in different ways. He said his mother would always greet everyone with a smile, hug or a joke. 'It didn't matter who you were, she always listened. If you were talking to her, you didn't just have her attention — you had her concern, sympathies, and help,' Ryland said. Ryland remembered when he called his mother asking for help because he had invited his girlfriend over for a homemade dinner, but didn't know how to cook. 'I didn't have a lot of time, I didn't have many ingredients, but I still wanted to make something good,' he said. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. She spent time looking over recipes that he could cook. Eventually she recommended a chicken parmesan dish. He said the date went perfectly, thanks to his mom. Ryland said his dad showed love through his actions and always wanted to help people. He recalled that last winter he'd had an argument with his dad and drove into a ditch with his truck minutes later. 'I had to swallow my pride and ask him for help right after we got into a disagreement, and he was out in the garage less than five minutes later,' Ryland said. 'That's the kind of person he was. No matter what, he was always there to help.'
