The lack of consultations with First Nations is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mishandling and secrecy surrounding this project: Lamoureux

Winnipeg – Today Kevin Lamoureux, deputy leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, and Gaile Whelan Enns, director of Manitoba Wildlands accused Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Conservation of mishandling a project that will insert a new 19 kilometer power line into Nopiming Provincial Park’s boreal forest.

Brush cutting for the project began over the weekend despite protests from both First Nations and local cottage owners opposed to plan to supply power to 156 cottages that are currently not on Hydro’s power grid.

Lamoureux and Whelan Enns presented evidence that the province’s conservation department and Manitoba Hydro ignored or circumvented numerous requirements, and ignored government mandated consultations with the Sagkeeng First Nations whose traditional lands span the proposed power line route.

Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Donavan Fontaine said from Ottawa: “I am deeply concerned that this government has neglected our concerns and proceeded, which now puts us in an adversarial position. We will do what is necessary to ensure our traditional territory is respected, protected and remains ours. The significance is serious considering our cultural and heritage is on the verge of being compromised, disturbed or destroyed.”

Lamoureux said that he is extremely disappointed that both Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Conservation failed to conduct proper public consultations with Sagkeeng First Nations and cottage owners in the area. “This process should have been handled in a neutral manner and in full public view. The land in question is in a protected provincial park, part of traditional First Nations land and yet the conservation department left the public consultations to be conducted by small group of pro-Hydro cottage owners and avoided dealing directly with representatives from Sagkeeng.”

Whelan Enns agreed with Lamoureux and called on Bill Blaikie, the province’s new conservation minister to remove the secrecy surrounding development decisions in provincial parks. “The new minister of conservation needs to return our parks system to consistent, fully public decision making. Secret developments in our parks must end.”

Additional issues that are present in the Nopiming Provincial Park Hydro Project include:

 - Why is there no current Nopiming Park Plan in place?

- The power to the area will be delivered via a 75 year old power line that runs from Great Falls to Long Lake. The line was slated for decommissioning in 2011 due to the need for extensive retrofitting. What will the costs be to taxpayers through Manitoba Hydro to upgrade and maintain this aged line?

 - Why is Manitoba Conservation not promoting alternative power sources such as solar power for cottage owners wanting power?

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 For more information, please contact:

Michelle Nyhof – Communications Officer for  Manitoba Liberal Caucus

(204) 771-2513 or  michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca