First Nations leaders hope new report on effects of Interlake flood channel leads to review of project

First Nations leaders in Manitoba's Interlake region say they hope a new federal report represents a step in the right direction toward a review of a huge flood mitigation project, which the report found would likely harm their communities' way of life.

"This finding aligns with what our communities have been saying about this project since 2017," Karl Zadnik, chief executive officer of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, said at a news conference alongside several other First Nations leaders on Thursday.

"We want flood mitigation for our communities, but this project will have significant adverse environmental effects on our people, while our communities continue to be flooded."

The tribal council represents seven communities in the region.

After reviewing the final findings of a federal environmental assessment report published last week, Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault said the province's Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet project may lead to "significant adverse environmental effects" for about 30 Indigenous communities, potentially costing them some of their treaty rights.

The project would see the construction of two channels — each about 24 kilometres long — that would drain high water from Lake Manitoba through Lake St. Martin and into Lake Winnipeg. It was designed to reduce flooding in the region, in the aftermath of two devastating floods in 2011 and 2014.

The 400-plus-page report by the federal Impact Assessment Agency found that most of the project's effects on the environment — including its potential impacts on surface and groundwater quality, and the land — would be appropriately addressed.

But the agency added that even with mitigation measures and followup programs, the project would still have a significant adverse impact on Indigenous people's use of land and resources for traditional purposes. 

Those findings are substantive, said Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, "and must not be dismissed or taken lightly as mere suggestions."

"Decisions regarding First Nations' sovereign land must no longer be made without First Nation involvement or behind closed doors," she said at Thursday's news conference.

Among other things, the report said the channels' construction and operation may result in permanent changes to fish habitat, which would be unavoidable and can't be entirely mitigated. Those changes mean Indigenous fishers would need to travel longer distances, the report said.

Zadnik said that impact would be significant, since commercial fishing is among the most important factors for economic development in the area.

The project would also lead to the permanent loss of important trails used by the communities, even after construction is done, including shoreline access to rivers and lakes, along with snowmobile routes used to access fishing, hunting and gathering, according to the report.

Opportunity for reconciliation: chief

Cornell McLean, chief of Lake Manitoba First Nation and chairman for the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, said the leaders understand the project's aims are important.

But they hope to underscore how First Nations in Manitoba have historically been hit hard by flooding in the region and would be affected by the planned project.

That mirrors community concerns outlined in the federal report, which included worries that the project failed to account for the effects of historical flooding in the region or address the existing water control systems that result in increased flooding in the region — particularly the Portage Diversion, which diverts water from the Assiniboine River into Lake Manitoba. 

"We're looking at the bigger picture here — we're not against protecting the city of Winnipeg [from flooding]. We certainly want to be a part of that process," McLean said. "But we don't want to be the sacrifices either, because a lot of our people were displaced."

McLean said a meeting has been scheduled for July 18 with the province to discuss the project.

Kurvis Anderson, chief of Pinaymootang First Nation, said the decisions made about the project going forward will be part of a "pivotal moment" between the province and First Nations, whose rights he said have previously been "trampled on" by government.

"It's an opportunity to set an example for the reconciliation that we all speak of. We don't know where this decision will take us," Anderson said.

"It's not the first time we've heard something promising. I'm hoping for the first time we'll see something positive out of it for our First Nations."

In 2022, a provincial court judge ruled that Manitoba's then Progressive Conservative government failed in its duty to consult First Nations near Lake St. Martin on the plan to build the two flood channels.

Lisa Naylor, the now NDP provincial government's infrastructure minister, said earlier this week the findings of the federal report reflect concerns raised by First Nations communities to the government in the past. Naylor added the current government is listening to those concerns.

A federal spokesperson said the final decision for the project will now be referred to cabinet to determine "whether the significant adverse environmental effects of the project in federal jurisdiction are justified." That decision will determine whether the project can proceed as planned.

It did not offer a timeline for that decision.

As of 2022, the cost of the project was pegged at around $600 million. The government estimates it would take between three and four years to complete.