Manitoba First Nation sues governments over chronic flooding, wants protection
A Manitoba First Nation that has suffered from chronic flooding is suing three levels of government for failing to provide adequate protection over decades.
Peguis First Nation filed a statement of claim Wednesday that alleges the federal and Manitoba governments failed to protect the community from frequent flooding that damaged homes and forced evacuations.
"Over the course of its history on the reserve land, Peguis has been flooded repeatedly and severely due to natural and man-made causes without the plaintiff receiving any or any meaningful protection, remediation or compensation," the document says.
The lawsuit also alleges two nearby municipalities diverted water from their areas to improve drainage, but in a way that added to flooding on the reserve's land.
The lawsuit contains allegations that have not been proven in court, and the defendants have not yet filed statements of defence.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Wednesday he would not comment on a matter before the courts.
The federal government said it has worked with Peguis on an ongoing basis, including a memorandum signed last year to formalize long-term flood protection and recovery.
"In addition, from May 2022 to March 2023, (Indigenous Services Canada) provided approximately $18 million to Peguis First Nation for flood response and recovery, including advance payments made to ease the burden of the First Nation's cash flow and to support 2023 flood preparation," a statement from the department read.
The lawsuit seeks $1 billion in damages, although it does not lay out an itemized list of costs.
Peguis First Nation was originally in another part of Manitoba on fertile farm land. It was relocated more than a century ago to the marshy delta of the Fisher River, 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
The federal government conceded in 1998 that the land transfer that prompted the move was illegal. The two sides reached a settlement 11 years later.
Flooding became more severe and more frequent in recent decades. The lawsuit alleges flooding was driven in part by government decisions to drain areas upstream and turn forests and wetlands into agricultural land.
There have been more than 10 floods since 1999, often resulting in evacuations of large parts of the community and damage to homes and water systems, the lawsuit says.
Stan Bird, the community's chief, said talks with the federal and provincial governments about improvements to flood protection have not gone far.
"We're called to the table time and time again, but nothing ever comes of that. That's all we do is talk," Bird said in an interview.
The most recent major flood happened in 2022. It forced more than 2,000 residents to flee and left hundreds of homes damaged or in need of replacement. Some 500 residents are still unable to return, the lawsuit says.
"They're homesick and they're psychologically and physically damaged by all of this," said Brian Meronek, one of the lawyers representing the First Nation.
The federal government has provided help to flood-proof some of the most vulnerable homes and has cost-shared a study with Manitoba on flood prevention.
Experts have discussed options, including a large dam upstream or a ring dike that could act as a wall around the sprawling community.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole
Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.