Interlake First Nations leaders call new $15M fund connected to flood channel ‘a slap in the face’ – CBC

Oct 12, 2022

$15M is ‘crumbs’ compared to $600M Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project, leaders say

First Nations leaders from the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council say they were blindsided after Manitoba announced a new $15-million economic development fund meant to assist communities affected by flooding in Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin — calling it “crumbs” compared to the now estimated $600-million project.

In early October, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced that the province would develop a $15-million fund to support Indigenous economic development opportunities related to the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project.

The project involves building two approximately 23-kilometre-long outlet channels to enhance flood protection for communities around Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin, according to an Oct. 5 news release.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/first-nations-leaders-interlake-1.6614318