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Winnipeg Free Press
11-08-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
First Nation accuses Hydro of sinking ‘lifeline'
A remote northern First Nation is calling on the province to order Manitoba Hydro to raise water levels in the area, after a 'lifeline' ferry was grounded for the season. York Factory First Nation Chief Darryl Wastesicoot said residents are essentially stuck because Split Lake's level dropped too low for the provincially run ferry to operate. 'We do want an all-weather road. That's the long-term goal here, but short-term is to get some help to get our supplies in so we can continue our projects and people's (grocery) shopping,' he told the Free Press. 'They're holding back a lot of water, probably for the winter.' Wastesicoot said the First Nation was previously told the lake is low because of drought. York Factory sent a letter Aug. 1 asking Premier Wab Kinew and two cabinet ministers to order Manitoba Hydro, a Crown corporation, to release dammed water under the Emergency Measures Act. The community, which made a similar request in 2003, said the move would help to restore M.V. Joe Keeper ferry service and protect a water supply. The letter accused the utility of 'engineering' low levels by holding back water on Southern Indian Lake and Lake Winnipeg, prioritizing electricity generation over essential ferry service, and making decisions without accountability. Wastesicoot said York Factory's council is scheduled to meet with provincial officials Tuesday. Low water has caused ferry disruption in other recent years, he said. Split Lake's level on Sunday was 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) lower than the same time last year, as per Manitoba Hydro's website. The federal government forced the First Nation to move from its traditional lands at York Factory to its current location at York Landing when a Hudson's Bay Co. depot closed in 1957. 'We do want an all-weather road. That's the long-term goal here, but short-term is to get some help to get our supplies in so we can continue our projects and people's (grocery) shopping.'– York Factory First Nation Chief Darryl Wastesicoot Wastesicoot said the First Nation is located between two hydroelectric dams, with Split Lake's levels controlled by Manitoba Hydro. About 480 people live in the community, about 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Wastesicoot said the First Nation isn't compensated when the water level is low. York Factory declared a state of local emergency after the ferry came to a halt in July. The province's website said the ferry is closed for the rest of the season. M.V. Joe Keeper operates between York Landing and Tataskweyak Cree Nation, usually until late October or early November. From Tataskweyak, residents can drive about 150 kilometres to Thompson, which has more grocery, health-care and other services. Wastesicoot said flights between York Landing and other communities, including Thompson, come with expensive airfare or freight costs. Several projects, including housing, infrastructure upgrades and a youth centre, have been halted because building materials or supplies cannot be delivered to the First Nation without the ferry, he said. Wastesicoot is concerned about the low lake level's potential impacts on the First Nation's water supply and fish populations. Sediment is getting into a water treatment plant, and algae is 'all over' the lake, the chief said. 'Our government recognizes that the current low water conditions are having a real impact on the community, and the province, alongside the federal government and Manitoba Hydro, are working with the community to address these issues.'– email from a spokesperson for Finance Minister Adrien Sala In addition to Kinew, York Factory's Aug. 1 letter was addressed to Finance Minister Adrien Sala, who is responsible for Manitoba Hydro, and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, who is responsible for the Emergency Management Organization. 'Our government recognizes that the current low water conditions are having a real impact on the community, and the province, alongside the federal government and Manitoba Hydro, are working with the community to address these issues,' a spokesperson for Sala wrote in an email. 'We are in constant communication with community leadership and Manitoba Hydro has supplied additional boats to help with transportation.' The spokesperson confirmed officials are scheduled to meet with leaders from York Factory and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., which represents 26 northern First Nations. Manitoba Hydro staff were not available to respond Sunday. The Crown corporation's July update for the Nelson River watershed said watersheds that contribute to hydroelectric generating systems were experiencing abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions, with overall inflows well below average. 'Under these conditions, Manitoba Hydro must operate to save enough water in storage to meet provincial electricity requirements during the high load winter period,' the update said. 'This is contributing to low flows and water levels on many of the lakes and rivers that our operations affect in the north.' 'I'm hoping that together we can support the community in whatever way we can, whether that's interim or long-term.'– Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand Wildfire smoke led to dozens of York Factory residents with medical conditions being flown to Winnipeg in a temporary evacuation in June. Tataskweyak was fully evacuated for about two months. Aside from the ferry terminal and airport, York Factory First Nation relies on winter roads for part of the year, but the season has become much shorter, Wastesicoot said. Last month, Wastesicoot and grand chiefs called on the federal and provincial governments to build an all-season road to the community. Two external studies commissioned by the First Nation found a 60-kilometre road would cost about $150 million. Naylor previously said discussions about an all-weather road were underway, and the project would require funds from Ottawa. York Factory is in Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand's riding of Churchill — Keewatinook Aski. Chartrand is scheduled to visit Tataskweyak Monday and York Factory First Nation on Tuesday. The Liberal member of Parliament said she requested a meeting with the Manitoba government, and raised concerns with relevant federal ministers about the 'serious' situation, which is impacting food security and access to health care. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'I'm hoping that together we can support the community in whatever way we can, whether that's interim or long-term,' Chartrand told the Free Press. She said she can't speak to whether Ottawa will help fund an all-weather road, but the proposed project will be discussed with the province. Last week, MKO called on the federal government to hold the provincial government and Manitoba Hydro accountable for 'engineered' low water levels. MKO wants the province and Manitoba Hydro to reimburse York Factory and Ottawa for emergency-related costs that were incurred as a result of the ferry closure. Chris KitchingReporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
City opens evacuee centre after thousands flee wildfires amid provincial state of emergency
The City of Winnipeg has opened its doors to wildfire evacuees after thousands were forced to flee northern Manitoba Wednesday evening as uncontrolled fires ravaged the region — prompting the province to declare a state of emergency. 'We know many families are arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs,' Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a news release Thursday morning 'Winnipeg will do what we've always done in times of crisis: open our doors and stand together.' The city established a reception centre at Billy Mosienko Arena, which opened at 9 p.m. Wednesday. People who do not have a place to stay are asked to head to the Keewatin Street facility, which is being staffed by provincial emergency social services and the Canadian Red Cross, the news release said. Evacuees travelling toward Winnipeg are encouraged to shelter with friends and family first, if possible, the city said. Colin Fast, director of communications for the mayor's office, confirmed Century and Eric Coy arenas have also been made available to support evacuees. He said the city is looking into other facilities as well. The city has activated an emergency operations centre to co-ordinate efforts across various departments, and to ensure the necessary facilities and services are available to evacuees, the news release said. 'City officials remain in close contact with provincial emergency management teams and the Canadian Red Cross to assess shelter requirements, co-ordinate logistics and deliver essential services,' it said. The mayor said it is now Winnipeg's job to ensure evacuees feel 'safe, supported and welcomed.' Premier Wab Kinew announced a Manitoba-wide state of emergency around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday due to severe fire conditions and out-of-control blazes in the north, east and western parts of the province. More than 17,000 residents of northern communities scrambled to escape advancing wildfires, as the City of Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb First Nation issued mandatory evacuation orders. All residents and visitors were told to get out before midnight. The majority of the evacuees are expected to head to Winnipeg. 'This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory,' the premier said. It is believed to be the largest mass evacuation since 1997, when about 25,000 people were forced to flee the Red River Valley during the Flood of the Century. The decision to make the declaration under the Emergency Measures Act was based on the recommendation of wildfire and emergency management officials. The state of emergency, which ensures federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response, is in effect for 30 days and may be extended. Canadian Armed Forces staff will help with the evacuation of northerners, most of whom are expected to come to Winnipeg. Paige Bada, who fled from Flin Flon with her parents, described how throngs of traffic snaked along Highway 10 as they made their escape. '(I've) been trying to get ahold of friends along the drive to The Pas, see if they're OK. Some have made it on the road, some I haven't heard from and others I couldn't reach without having much service,' she said in a message to the Free Press. Bada and her family arrived in Minnedosa around 2 a.m. Thursday to stay with family. Manitoba has had the highest fire activity in Canada in 2025, said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the wildfire service. About 200,000 hectares of land has burned this year — nearly triple the five-year average for an entire year. More to come. fpcity@ Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler 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.
