Question Period Note: Keeyask / Tataskweyak Cree Nation blockade

• We recognize that First Nation, Inuit and Métis are among the most vulnerable and face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19.

• Since the outbreak, First Nations have been leading the response to protect the health and wellbeing of their communities.

• Our Government expects that all work on the Manitoba Hydro project will strictly follow the advice and guidance of public health officials and governments.

• As provinces begin to reopen, we will continue to work with Indigenous communities to provide support to avoid future outbreaks.

Background

Tataskweyak Cree Nation is located approximately 800 km north of Winnipeg and 120 km northeast of Thompson, Manitoba. The on-reserve population is approximately 2,300. In 2009, Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, and York Factory First Nation, entered into a partnership to develop the Keeyask Hydropower Generating Partnership, a project to develop a 695 megwatt generating station on the Nelson River.

Work on the project involves a construction camp at a remote location, involving approximately 1,400 employees and contractors. The workers on the site are drawn from across Canada and the United States. On March 22, Manitoba Hydro reduced the workforce at Keeyask down to 512 people, and that a shift change is now required for relief of these workers. A shift change was scheduled for May 19 with approximately 700 people entering the work camp. Manitoba Hydro took a number of precautionary steps in advance, such as requiring those entering the site to quarantine for 14 days before entering the community. Additionally, anyone entering the site must be tested for COVID-19 in advance, and respect physical distancing protocols. In an affidavit filed by Manitoba Hydro with Court of Queen’s Bench, the Manitoba Chief Medical Officer of Health states that he has reviewed these measures and the comply with current public health directives.

On May 18, 2020, residents of Tatskweyak Cree Nation erected a blockade into the community. Chief Doreen Spence has stated this is only to disrupt traffic into the Keeyask site, and that the measures being taken by Manitoba Hydro is not appropriate for the safety of their community. Manitoba Hydro sought and received an injunction to have access to the work site for a shift change, which was served to the demonstrators on May 19. As of May 19, the blockade remains in place. On May 20, news sources reported that residents of Fox Lake Cree Nation had joined the demonstration, and had placed a blockade at a location near the airport in Gillam, which is used by Manitoba Hydro as the arrival point for crews coming into Keeyask.

If pressed on public health measures being taken by Manitoba Hydro
• The safety of First Nations people and communities is our highest priority. This has never been more important than it is right now.

• Our Government expects that all work on the Manitoba Hydro project will strictly follow the advice and guidance of public health officials and governments.

• We understand that Manitoba Hydro has taken precautions for workers before they enter the First Nation, including a period of quarantine.

• We will support the First Nation in working with their partner on measures they feel are appropriate to protect their community.