Protesters say they have no plans to vacate Winnipeg landfill blockade

The deadline for a city order for protesters at the Brady Landfill to remove their blockade has come and gone, but the blockade remains as protesters say they are standing their ground.

A large impassable blockade made up of tires and wooden planks is blocking the entrance road at Brady Landfill. Behind it is the camp set up by protesters calling for action from the government to search for the remains of Indigenous women.

"This is just beginning," said Melissa Robinson, the cousin of Morgan Harris, whose remains are believed to be in the Prairie Green Landfill. "Until they decide that they need to do the right thing, we’re going to be around."

Protesters tell CTV News they have no plans to vacate the site despite the city ordering them to clear the road by noon Monday.

"We had been hopeful and remain hopeful that the group gathered would restore access to the roadway. At this point today, it doesn't appear that's going to be the case," said Michael Jack, the chief administrative officer with the City of Winnipeg.

He said the city is now considering applying for a court injunction as early as Tuesday. Jack said a court injunction could allow police to remove protesters if the court decides it is an appropriate step.

Tre Delaronde, one of the protesters, said the group is not looking for any confrontation.

"All peaceful means on our side. We're not here to provoke the police force, we're not here to provoke any government," he said. "We are here to stand our ground, to keep the peace, and remain vigilant in unity."

The blockade began Thursday evening after Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said the province would not move forward with a search of the Prairie Green Landfill north of Winnipeg for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran.

Alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki has been charged with their deaths, as well as the death of Rebecca Contois, whose partial remains were found last year at the city-owned Brady Road Landfill.

"Pretty much like a punch in the face, that is what it feels like – a punch in the face where your nose starts to bleed," Delaronde said.

"None of our women deserve to be in the landfill – they are not trash. They are human beings, they are very sacred human beings."

Late last week, the City of Winnipeg along with police liaisons gave the protesters until noon Monday to remove their blockade, saying the full operation of the Brady Landfill is essential. The city's order does not require protesters to leave the site, just to clear the road blockade, Jack said.

The city said the blockade is violating city by-laws and putting the city at risk of violating environmental licence requirements.

"These actions do constitute an emergency to the health and safety of the residents of Winnipeg, as well as to the users of the facility," Jack said.

Jack said the city is currently relying on a temporary roadway for access to the landfill, however, he said the road was not intended for traffic and is one bad weather event away from being unusable. He said a rainstorm Thursday night washed out this secondary road and forced the city to completely shut down the landfill as crews worked to repair it.

He said it hasn't been calculated yet how much this shutdown cost the city.

"The group who has set up the blockade has been clear that they want to make a point to the premier. We do think that point has been made," Jack said.

The victims' families, community members, and some Indigenous leaders disagree.

"We need to be here. There's a landfill that needs to be searched still," said Chief Kyra Wilson of Long Plain First Nation.

Indigenous leaders and members of the protest did raise the matter with the premiers as they met in Winnipeg for the start of their annual summer meeting.

"You sit in these powerful positions, but where are you when your own people need you?" Cambria Harris, the daughter of Morgan Harris, questioned. "Where's the answers? We never get them."

Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Cindy Woodhouse said going into the meeting, Indigenous women deserve more, they are not garbage.

Premier Heather Stefanson acknowledged this was discussed.

She said the province’s decision announced last week is final – the province will not perform a search of the landfill.

"I can tell you that we cannot ignore the complexity of the issue and the objective viability of other considerations – things like toxic and hazardous waste that are in the landfill when it comes to a search, things like the health and safety considerations of those who would come forward and be those that search the landfill, and the likelihood and probability of finding the bodies of those individuals of those who perished," Stefanson said.

Stefanson did reiterate the province will be offering supports for those families and others impacted.

Jack said the city has extended the invitation to have further discussions with members of the families, and with members of the blockade.

"We're hopeful that there's still room for discussion and dialogue."