For Immediate Release 1 May 2019 Cree Presenters Expose Manitoba Hydro at UN Forum New York City — On Monday, April 29, representatives from three northern First Nations told the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues about the long-standing and ongoing damage caused by hydropower mega-projects in Manitoba. The five largest rivers in Manitoba have been dramatically and per
In May 2018, the PUB ruled in favour of a new rate category and rate for on-reserve residential customers. The ruling stated that this new category was to receive 0% increase for the 2018/2019 year. This is compared to the rest of Manitoba that would see a 3.6% average increase in rates from the 2017/2018 year. On August 2018, Manitoba Hydro filed to appeal this ruling based on two key points.
On Wednesday, January 16th, a representative from Manitoba Hydro came to the University of Manitoba campus to discuss prospective summer employment for Indigenous students. Hosted in Migizii Agamik, students gathered to listen to a 45 minute presentation on the how's and why's to apply for a summer position. The speaker provided statistics regarding Indigenous employment, stating that Manitob
The Augmented Flow Program (AFP) has provided Manitoba Hydro permission to operate the Churchill River Diversion outside of its Interim Licence in order to achieve its desired flows through the hydroelectric system since 1986, every single year. Essentially it is an annual deviation permitted by simple letter that allows Manitoba Hydro to exceed water level changes to exceed by 1.5 feet the
By Justin Brake and Ashley Brandson Originally published on September 18th, 2018 in APTN News Rays of sunlight peek through the trees and illuminate two dozen wooden crosses hidden in a small patch of bush surrounded by the desolate rocky landscape of an abandoned quarry. Gerald McKay of Misipawistik Cree Nation examines a necklace someone has appended to a tree. He holds the cross p
The cross-examination portion of the National Energy Board (NEB) hearings came to a close last Friday, the 22nd of June, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. Legal representatives of Indigenous First Nations stood before the NEB to question Manitoba Hydro on the construction and consultation process of the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project (MMTP). Pursuant to First Nations’ concerns in relat
Dispelling the Myths of Hydro in Manitoba On World Water Day, March 22nd, we wanted to challenge the notion that hydropower is clean and green. It was a chance to walk in solidarity with and support of hydro-impacted communities across Manitoba. It was also an opportunity for Winnipeggers to hear directly from Indigenous people living in these impacted communities and learn. The event be
By Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition (originally published on MEJC’s website on March 22nd, 2018) On March 21st 2018, there was a mass resignation of the Manitoba Hydro board citing an inability "to have a meaningful dialogue... despite repeated attempts” with the Pallister government and challenges related to the finances and governance of Manitoba Hydro including its attempts to rectify
By Will Braun Originally published on December 30th, 2017 in the Winnipeg Free Press The Keeyask dam is springing leaks, and the possibility of further cost overruns and delays, as recently reported, is just the start. The dam, now estimated to cost between $8.7 billion and $10.5 billion, was officially approved in 2014, based largely on Manitoba Hydro’s projection that demand for energ
The Ongoing Impacts of Northern Hydro Development By Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition (originally published on MEJC's website on August 28th, 2017) Manitoba celebrates the “clean energy” that comes from Manitoba Hydro’s damn systems in the province’s North. But to call this energy “clean” is a misnomer. MEJC members recently participated in a tour of northern communities affe