Latest news with #YorkFactoryFirstNation
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada Provides Early Decision on York Factory First Nation Ten Shilling Aerodrome Project in Manitoba
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) assessed the York Factory First Nation Ten Shilling Aerodrome Project, a new aerodrome along Ten Shilling Creek in Manitoba, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means. The proponent, York Factory First Nation, may now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits. To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act, IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts to federal jurisdiction and frameworks to address these potential impacts. IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and Manitoba's Heritage Resources Act, and Water Rights Act. As a result, a comprehensive impact assessment is not required. The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's Notice of Early Decision with Reasons. York Factory First Nation is proposing to construct and operate a new aerodrome along Ten Shilling Creek, approximately four kilometres south of York Factory settlement and National Historic Site, in northeastern Manitoba. As proposed, the project would include a single, private 1,530-metre-long airplane runway that would be used for emergency services, improve access to York Factory First Nation's traditional territory, and support tourism and future development in the local area. The review process from start to finish took 59 days to complete. IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the Impact Assessment Act through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of "one project, one review". Canada is committed to working together with the Province of Manitoba to improve the efficiency of assessments of major projects. Decisions like these ensure that Canada's impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether a comprehensive impact assessment is required or not.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kinew blames climate change, seeks solutions for sinking water levels in First Nation
The Manitoba government is exploring options to help an isolated northern First Nation, which is without ferry service due to low water levels. Premier Wab Kinew said he met with York Factory First Nation's council, grand chiefs and federal officials Wednesday to discuss the 'tough' situation. 'I conveyed the fact that, yeah, this is all part of one dry condition impact that Manitoba is living through right now,' Kinew told reporters. 'This is all part of climate change. When we're talking about hydro in particular, just to put things into perspective… hydro reservoirs are about at the ninth percentile. SUPPLIED / FILE PHOTO Ferry service along Split Lake in northern Manitoba has been disrupted owing to low water levels. 'So this is, like, 91 per cent of years had more moisture in the hydro basin than this one. You can see there are impacts.' In an Aug. 1 letter, York Factory First Nation called on the provincial government to order Manitoba Hydro to release dammed water in order to raise the level of Split Lake. The First Nation said the move would help to resume ferry service and protect the community's water supply. A small group of York Factory members gathered outside the legislature to support the community's call. Sources have confirmed Adrien Sala, the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, is scheduled to meet with executives and board members from the utility on Thursday. Any order by the provincial government that could threaten the generating system's operational capacity must come as a formal ministerial directive from the minister responsible for Hydro. Kinew said the province will continue to work with the community in the short-term by providing boats and chartered flights to help move people or supplies. 'There's probably medium-term things that we'll look at, like maybe moving the ferry, and some other options on the table there, too,' he said. 'We've got to get the environmental piece and the engineering piece looked at for those things.' The First Nation, about 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg, had already called on the provincial and federal governments to fund an all-weather road. 'Longer term, we do need to build an all-weather road network in northern Manitoba, but the challenge is that this is going to cost $5 billion,' Kinew said. 'Our provincial infrastructure budget is $540 million. So, just extrapolate from that and you can see the scale of the challenge.' Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Manitoba Hydro said Monday that releasing water from Southern Indian Lake and Lake Winnipeg would jeopardize 'electrical reliability' in the coming months, if a drought continues. The Crown corporation said adequate reserves are needed to supply electricity to Manitobans over the winter, when demand peaks. York Factory First Nation declared a state of local emergency after the ferry stopped operating in July. The service links the community to the provincial highway network during open-water season. Manitoba Hydro said it is paying compensation under the terms of pre-existing agreements. fpcity@
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
First Nation's low water levels can't be helped: Hydro
Manitoba Hydro says it cannot raise water levels on a northern lake, where a ferry has been grounded, because doing so right now would jeopardize 'electrical reliability' if a drought continues. York Factory First Nation's chief and council are meeting with Manitoba government officials Tuesday, after calling on the province to order the Crown corporation to release dammed water into Split Lake. 'Manitoba Hydro is doing everything it can to avoid extremely low levels on Split Lake,' spokesman Scott Powell wrote in an email to the Free Press Monday. 'However, increasing the levels of Split Lake now to support ferry operations by releasing additional water from Lake Winnipeg and Southern Indian Lake would jeopardize electricity reliability if the drought continues, and it is unknown when these conditions may end.' 'Increasing the levels of Split Lake now to support ferry operations by releasing additional water from Lake Winnipeg and Southern Indian Lake would jeopardize electricity reliability if the drought continues, and it is unknown when these conditions may end.'– Manitoba Hydro spokesman Scott Powell wrote in an email The primary cause of Split Lake's low water level is a significant drought that is affecting levels and flows across Manitoba, he said. Powell said Manitoba Hydro is providing three boats to help move people and supplies to and from York Factory. The Crown corporation is paying compensation under the terms of pre-existing agreements, he said. About 480 people live in the community, which is about 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg. The federal government moved York Factory First Nation from its traditional lands at York Factory to York Landing when a Hudson's Bay Co. depot closed in 1957. A ferry that runs between isolated York Factory First Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation stopped operating in July due to low water levels, prompting York Factory to declare a state of local emergency. The province's website said the ferry is out of service for the season. Split Lake's water level was 1.4 metres below normal for this time of year as of Aug. 4. 'It is important that Manitobans know they can count on Manitoba Hydro to always meet their electricity needs for their homes and businesses.'– Manitoba Hydro spokesman Scott Powell In an Aug. 1 letter to the province, York Factory's council accused Manitoba Hydro of prioritizing electricity generation over essential ferry service, and making decisions without accountability. Powell said the utility is operating its system and managing water in a responsible manner to ensure adequate energy reserves are available to supply electricity to all Manitobans over the winter, when demand peaks for heating, lighting and other needs, and into next year should the drought continue. 'We operate all our facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the licences granted to us by the provincial government,' Powell wrote. 'It is important that Manitobans know they can count on Manitoba Hydro to always meet their electricity needs for their homes and businesses. 'Even under drought conditions, flows into Split Lake will increase as the demand for electricity from our customers increases in late fall.' York Factory Chief Darryl Wastesicoot said Sunday the ferry is a lifeline because it links the community — located between two hydroelectric dams — with the provincial highway system during open-water season. Residents drive to Thompson for health appointments and to stock up on groceries. Wastesicoot said housing and other projects have been disrupted because supplies cannot be delivered without the ferry. It is expensive to transport goods or supplies by air, he said. The chief is concerned about the low lake level's potential impacts on York Factory's water supply. The First Nation had already called for the construction of an all-season road. The winter road season is not as long as it used to be, Wastesicoot said. 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.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
York Factory evacuating as wildfires intensify
Another northern first nation is being forced out of their homes due to wildfires. York Factory First Nation, located south of Split Lake, is working with the Red Cross to evacuate residents. According to York Factory First Nation's social media, people are being flown to Winnipeg to escape wildfire conditions. Residents named as Priority 1 with medical conditions were being evacuated starting at 8:30 p.m. Monday night, with the rest to be flown out Tuesday. The first nation said they will be sent to Winnipeg hotels. Those evacuating were being asked to register for Red Cross support.
Cision Canada
05-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Public Notice - York Factory First Nation Ten Shilling Aerodrome Project Français
Comments Invited on the Summary of the Initial Project Description OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - What is happening? York Factory First Nation is proposing the York Factory First Nation Ten Shilling Aerodrome Project, a new aerodrome along Ten Shilling Creek, approximately four kilometres south of York Factory settlement and National Historic Site, in northeastern Manitoba. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) invites Indigenous Peoples and the public to review the summary of the Initial Project Description and provide comments on the proposed project. This feedback will help IAAC prepare a summary of issues that will be given to the proponent. How can I participate? Comments should be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 89488). The summary of the Initial Project Description is also available on the Registry. Participants who wish to provide input in a different format can contact IAAC by writing to [email protected]. Submit your comments online by 11:59 p.m. on May 26, 2025. All comments received will be published online as part of the project file. Participant funding will be available to eligible participants during this comment period and details will be announced shortly on the Registry. IAAC will retroactively reimburse eligible participants for their participation costs in this first comment period. Virtual Information Sessions IAAC invites Indigenous Peoples and the public to attend an information session via Zoom to learn more about the project, the impact assessment process, and how to submit comments on the summary of the Initial Project Description. May 14, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT (English) May 15, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT (English) For information on how to attend a session, please visit the project home page on the Registry and click on " Information Sessions." A French session is available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact IAAC using the project email above. What is the proposed project? York Factory First Nation is proposing to construct and operate a new aerodrome along Ten Shilling Creek, approximately four kilometres south of York Factory settlement and National Historic Site, in northeastern Manitoba. As proposed, the project would include a single, private 1,530-metre-long airplane runway that would be used for emergency services, improve access to York Factory First Nation's traditional territory, and support tourism and future development in the local area.
