What Peguis First Nation leaders say needs to happen to end flooding issues
Manitoba First Nations leaders are calling on the provincial and federal governments to collaborate and end flooding in Peguis First Nation.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson and Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, called on the two levels of government to invest in permanent infrastructure to keep the community safe from flooding.
“This issue surrounding flooding at Peguis First Nation has to come to an end, in terms of our people being impacted by high waters,” Hudson said.
This year, the Fisher River overflowed its banks, flooding Peguis First Nation and forcing the evacuation of more than 1,800 people from the community. Many are now in Winnipeg, Brandon and other communities until the water recedes and it is safe for them to return home.
“Our citizens shouldn't be staying in hotel rooms here in Winnipeg, and should be given the opportunity to start to protect ourselves going forward for many, many generations, and not simple Band-Aid solutions,” Daniels said.
Hudson said earlier this month that this year’s flooding in Peguis First Nation is the fourth major flood in the past 12 years.
He is demanding help from the province to improve roads and drainage in the region.
“We deserve drainage too, we deserve proper funding, and we deserve proper roadways, just like any other Manitoban and Canadian,” Hudson said.
During a Friday morning announcement, Saint Boniface MP Dan Vandal said the federal government is in constant communication with Peguis. He said he spoke with Hudson last week on flood mitigation planning, and asked Hudson to share plans with his office.
“I absolutely think we need to find a long-term solution, so I’m going to work cooperatively with the chief and the First Nation and try to find a long-term solution to the flooding,” he said.
Vandal added, “It has happened too often in the past, and we need to find a remedy in partnership with the First Nation and the province.”
A spokesperson for the Manitoba government said the province is assessing damage to provincial infrastructure as river levels begin to recede.
“Our government is committed to working collaboratively with First Nations leadership, surrounding communities and the federal government to address long-term flood mitigation improvements,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“Throughout this flood event, the province has been working closely with all local authorities, Indigenous communities and emergency management partners during these challenges to support all response and recovery activities."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.