Protest for flood compensation holds up traffic

Traffic was held up on Highway 6 near Fairford on the afternoon of Sept. 15 by chiefs, community members and students. They gathered to protest the Manitoba government’s commitment of $495 million to flood mitigation in the area but its failure to secure permanent homes for the about 1,900 people who remain displaced by flooding four years ago. In July, the province announced plans to build a second outlet channel from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin and for the current channel to be enlarged. The group wants flood claims and compensation for the evacuees sorted out before construction on the flood channel begins. “Before half a billion dollars is spent on a diversion in the Interlake, every man, woman and Elder needs to be brought home to a safe community,” said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak. A statement released by Manitoba on Sept. 15, says in part, “The province has set aside $100 million as part of a comprehensive settlement package and resettlement agreements have been signed with the four affected First Nations. Part of the resettlement process is mitigating the effects of possible future floods.” The statement said that discussions with First Nations for solutions are ongoing.