Question Period Note: Remains at St. Andrews Lock and Dam

Human remains were discovered during project excavations at St. Andrews Lock and Dam in Lockport, Manitoba.

• The Government of Canada is committed to pursuing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and, as part of this commitment, Public Services and Procurement Canada recognizes that ongoing consultation, engagement, and transparency with Indigenous peoples and organizations is essential
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is collaborating with the Province of Manitoba and representatives from the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Peguis First Nation to carry out archaeological testing in advance of further ground-disturbing work on the project
  • With respect to the human remains, the Province of Manitoba is working with local Indigenous partners to coordinate assessment of the burials and reinterment of the remains
  • Following the initial discovery of human remains, the Manitoba Metis Federation and Peguis First Nation provided Community Monitors to ensure all archaeological discoveries from the project are made in a culturally sensitive manner and respect Indigenous traditions

If pressed on the nature of the discoveries:

• The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples have a timeless connection and history with the area, which predates the existence of St. Andrews Lock and Dam
• Public Services and Procurement Canada will continue to engage with the Manitoba Métis Federation and First Nation partners to ensure work proceeds respectfully and with every sensitivity in mind
• Indigenous Services Canada has confirmed that this is not a residential school site and that these discoveries are not related to residential schools
• Public Services and Procurement Canada is initiating a study to better understand the cultural significance of the site so as to minimize future impacts

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has undertaken a project to replace the bridge deck on St. Andrews Lock and Dam because the current bridge deck is at the end of its service life. The project also involves widening the bridge deck and its approaches to meet current bridge codes. Widening of the approaches required that some ground-disturbing work be completed, chiefly to establish broader foundations and to construct access stairs and wheelchair ramps for the pedestrian crossing. The discoveries were made while this ground-disturbing work was being carried out.

The Design and Engineering contract for this project was awarded in August 2019 to Associated Engineering Group and the construction contract was awarded to M.D. Steele Construction Ltd. on June 16, 2021, in the amount of $36.95M plus taxes. Construction on the project began in July 2021 and is expected to be complete in fall of 2022.

Two sets of human remains were discovered during excavations; one on August 30, 2021, and one on September 10, 2021. Both sets of remains have been confirmed by the RCMP and the Province of Manitoba to be burials that are archaeological in nature. The remains have since been recovered by the Province of Manitoba in collaboration with local Indigenous partners.

Engagement with local communities and First Nations

PSPC engaged local communities, business associations, the Province, the Manitoba Metis Federation and local First Nations about the project during the planning and development stages. PSPC continues to actively engage these stakeholders through periodic general stakeholder meetings as well as through ad hoc communications on specific issues with special interest.

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