The chief of the Pimicikamk First Nation in northern Manitoba is calling on the federal government to send in the armed forces to help with an ongoing public health and safety crisis amid a prolonged power outage.
Manitoba Hydro said Thursday evening it had repaired a downed power line that had caused the outage, and would gradually restore power to customers in stages to avoid overloading the system and potentially damaging equipment.
In a publicly-shared letter sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office earlier Thursday, Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias said federal help was needed.
“Canada has a responsibility rooted in Treaty, law, and a basic human obligation to act decisively when First Nations face life-threatening emergencies. We are asking for that responsibility to be honoured now,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister’s Office deferred to Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski’s office when asked for comment.
A spokesperson for Olszewski did not say if the Canadian Armed Forces would be deployed to the First Nation, but said in a statement that the federal government was “acting urgently” to provide assistance.
“Public Safety Canada, in close coordination with Indigenous Services Canada and the Province of Manitoba, is actively monitoring the situation and working to ensure power is fully restored as quickly and safely as possible,” Soraya Lemur told Global News.
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“Federal and provincial officials and non-governmental and Indigenous organizations on the ground are working together to support the community and respond to emerging needs. This includes the delivery of generators, heaters, food and water, as well as the evacuation of community members, where needed.”
Lemur added Ottawa will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves and remains ready to offer additional support if needed.
A lack of power and extreme cold weather conditions forced residents of the First Nations community to evacuate their homes in the northern Manitoba this week.
The community has been without power since late Sunday when a line crossing the Nelson River snapped.
Monias previously told Global News the outage has knocked out water treatment, heating and sewage systems, leaving homes unlivable as temperatures plunged to –31 degrees Celsius with wind chills nearing –50.
“Families are relying on candles and generators for survival, significantly increasing the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. We have already lost critical infrastructure to fire during this emergency,” Monias said in his letter.
The letter also mentioned evacuation efforts are underway, as residents are leaving to nearby municipalities of Norway House, Thompson and Winnipeg. However, hotel capacity in those areas is exhausted and as conditions worsen, more people are expected to leave.
”Essential resources, equipment, and personnel are insufficient to meet urgent needs on the ground,” he said.
Monias has requested help from the military to deal with everything from transportation, to evacuation, the building of temporary shelters and delivery of water and other supplies.
”Time is critical. Every hour of delay deepens the harm and increases the risk to our people. I urge your immediate attention and action,” said Monias.
A spokesperson from Manitoba Hydro previously told Global News crews are working in the extremely challenging conditions as they repaired the power line.
—With additional files from Global’s Sean Boynton
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