Indigenous Group: Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC)

Business: Government of Manitoba

Issue: The IRTC states that there was an agreement with Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister to consult with First Nations that is not being honoured.

Comment: IRTC – In 2017, Premier Pallister promised that consultations with Indigenous communities on the Outlet Channels Project would be the most comprehensive in the history of Manitoba and committed to the affected communities that they would share in the economic opportunities arising from construction of the project. The IRTC has discovered a 23-kilometre route in the Interlake was cleared in preparation for a channel from Lake St. Martin to Lake Winnipeg, but were not informed by the government of Manitoba and are not aware if the necessary approvals were obtained. The IRTC has taken the issue to court.

Last Update: April 14, 2021: CTV News – The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC) has filed an application of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada after an appeals court struck down an injunction on the Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin outlet channels project. At the time, the premier called it a temporary victory for the project, which is a $540 million flood protection plan to drain water from Lake Manitoba to Lake Winnipeg vis Lake St. Martin.
On April 9, the IRTC applied, saying it will allow the Supreme Court of Canada to consider, “the importance of indigenous rights in Canada and the Federal Government commitment to reconciliation.” The IRTC added that project will cause harm to the environment and their sources of livelihood.

“This supreme court of appeal application was filed due to the conflict of interest the province of Manitoba is in with the Lake St. Martin Channel Project, when a proponent is able to consult as the crown, issue its own permits and licenses and also build the project; this conflict of interest concerns us,” said Cornell McLean, chairman of the IRTC and Chief of Lake Manitoba First Nation, in a news release.