The Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. has today called on the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada and the Government of Canada to hold Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro accountable for the engineered low water levels on Split Lake that have caused the cancellation of the ferry service to the York Factory First Nation during a declared province-wide State of Emergency.
“Manitoba has allowed Manitoba Hydro to knowingly prioritize the production of electricity – including for export sales to customers in the United States – over ensuring the continuity of the essential public service and ‘lifeline’ of the ferry to York Landing,” said the MKO Grand Chief.
“The York Factory First Nation community at York Landing is not connected to the provincial all-weather highway system and relies on the annual ferry service on Split Lake for connections for access to healthcare, food, family and ceremony,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “The ferry service is also relied on to deliver construction materials such as the housing packages - which are currently stranded outside of the community during the middle of construction season - as well as parts and materials to construct and maintain community emergency and critical infrastructure,” the Grand Chief continued.
Grand Chief Settee continued, “Manitoba has set in motion a cascade of emergency transportation and logistics issues and costs for York Factory by allowing Manitoba Hydro hold back water from Split Lake to enhance electricity sales this fall and by officially closing the ferry service for the season. The significant emergency costs coming from the ferry closure are borne by the Chief and Council, by all of the citizens of the York Factory First Nation and by the Government of Canada,” added the MKO Grand Chief.
“In four of the past six years since 2020, Manitoba Hydro has created low water levels on Split Lake that have caused the cancellation or disruption of the ferry service. MKO has today urged Canada to hold Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro accountable by calling on the Manitoba Ministers responsible for Manitoba Hydro and the Emergency Measures Act to order Manitoba Hydro to immediately release water to raise the level of Split Lake and restore the ferry service to York Landing. MKO has also called on Canada to have Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro pay back every documented emergency expense incurred by the York Factory First Nation coming from the ferry closure as well as to seek repayment of all Emergency Management Supports provided by Canada to the York Factory First Nation,” concluded the MKO Grand Chief.
