Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak has denounced Manitoba Hydro’s latest rate hike of 4 per cent while northern First Nations struggled with repeated power failures in 2025.

The most recent took place last week, when a power line across the Nelson River snapped about 10 kilometres north of Pimicikimak Cree Nation on December 28th.

For days, their residents were left without heat  or functioning water or sewage systems.

Many were evacuated to Thompson, with support from the Canadian Red Cross.

While power has been restored, residents are still out of their community due to broken water pipes and flooding in their homes.

Other incidents included a 128-day evacuation of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation after wildfires destroyed the transmission line serving Pukatawagan, and York Factory First Nation had the essential transportation link of the ferry service disrupted due to low water levels on Split Lake that were engineered by Manitoba Hydro.

MKO’s Grand Chief Garrison Settee urged the Public Utilities Board to deny further rate increases until Manitoba Hydro commits to energy security for northern Manitoba First Nations.