Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
An N.W.T. MLA is pleading with the territory's infrastructure minister to dredge the Hay River harbour. Rocky Simpson, who represents Hay River South, said the process of removing silt and mud from the bottom of bodies of water is essential for the safety and navigation of vessels — which resupply communities, ship construction materials, and carry out search and rescue missions, among other things.
Manitoba's extremely dry summer and unseasonably warm fall have led to historic lows for river and lake levels across the province. And that could mean trouble come spring — unless the province gets an enormous snowfall this winter, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says. "We haven't seen something like this since the 1930s, so we are very concerned," Schuler told host Shannah-Lee Vidal in a Friday interview on CBC's Radio Noon.
Manitoba’s infrastructure minister said on Thursday that record-low precipitation levels continue to plague the province, and have led to record low water levels in several Manitoba waterways. During a Thursday press conference Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler confirmed the province has seen record low precipitation this spring and summer, and he said that water control structures are now being operated in the province “to mitigate low water conditions.”
The Manitoba government says it's prepared in case of a drought this summer, following a winter where some areas saw record-low snowfall. "While there are no current drought impacts, our government is closely monitoring conditions and increasing its drought readiness," Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said Tuesday. Although the province is heading into a period of dry weather, a bit of precipitation will go a long way, he says.
Canada's infrastructure minister says new funding for clean water, wastewater and storm water projects announced last week by the province and federal government won't solve all of the long-standing water infrastructure problems in First Nation, but it's an important step. The two governments jointly announced $69.5 million in funding for projects in 37 First Nations, including around a dozen in northwestern Ontario. Northwest Angle 33 and Onigaming will receive money for water treatment plant upgrades. Grassy Narrows will receive funds to replace sewage pumping stations. And Seine River First Nation will receive money to upgrade its water treatment distribution system.
