First Nations leaders are accusing Manitoba Hydro of misleading the public and trying to avoid responsibility for a days-long power outage in Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO), which represents northern First Nations, criticized Hydro after it suggested the outage may have been linked to shotgun pellet damage found on a broken power line. MKO said Hydro’s comments were misleading and distracted from what it called Hydro’s own infrastructure failures.
“This sudden change in messaging is an attempt to shift blame during a crisis,” MKO said in a news release.
MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee called the response disrespectful to residents who were forced from their homes after pipes froze and burst during the four-day outage that began Dec. 28. More than 4,000 people were evacuated, according to Pimicikamak Chief David Monias.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala, who is responsible for Hydro, said a meeting is being planned with First Nations leaders and Hydro officials to address concerns and support recovery efforts. He acknowledged frustration over Hydro releasing information before the cause was confirmed.
Hydro said the shotgun pellet information was shared as a public safety reminder and denied trying to shift blame. It said the cause of the outage has not been determined.
Monias said the outage happened on an aging power line and warned that early claims about the cause distract from long-standing infrastructure problems in the region.
Canadian Armed Forces members are assisting with restoring water and sewer services.
