A Manitoba Hydro spokesman says the Crown utility does not tolerate illegal or exploitative behaviour following numerous allegations at one of its power station construction sites.
RCMP said last week that officers have conducted nine sexual assault investigations since 2015 at the Keeyask Generating Station and four resulted in charges.
Hydro did not comment on the details of any investigations, but spokesman Bruce Owen points to multiple company policies and initiatives, including working with a Manitoba strategy to address sexual exploitation and to curb harassment and discrimination.
The grand chief who represents First Nations in northern Manitoba says it’s alarming and he expects the number of assaults could be higher.
Garrison Settee says many Indigenous people do not report to police because other alleged assaults linked to Manitoba Hydro projects weren’t taken seriously.
A report released in 2017 and looking specifically into the Keeyask station’s workplace culture, found discrimination and harassment targeting Indigenous employees.
Manitoba Hydro says employees who were charged have had their site access to Keeyask revoked.