Northern Manitoba First Nations leaders are calling for Manitoba Hydro’s Keeyask generating station construction camp to be shut down temporarily to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among workers at the sites, some of whom live in surrounding First Nations communities.
After discovering one confirmed case fo the virus last week, Manitoba Hydro decided to test all 764 workers who were at the site and to temporarily scale back operations at the site in response. As of Nov. 3, 20 workers had tested positive and 11 workers with unclear results from their initial tests are awaiting confirmation of their status by tests at Cadham Provincial Laboratory in Winnipeg. Common areas at the site such as the theatre, gym and lounge have been closed by Manitoba Hydro, which has also stopped bringing in new workers to the site for the time being, apart from those needed to perform critical work. There are currently 59 workers isolating in special dorm rooms at the Keeyask work site.
“Manitoba Hydro had already implemented the requirements of a code red designation where applicable prior to this declaration and we continue to work closely with public health authorities and our Keeyask Cree Nation partners to coordinate our response to these COVID cases, providing frequent and timely updates on the situation,” said Manitoba Hydro CEO Jay Grewal in a Nov. 3 press release.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents 26 Northern Manitoba First Nations, including Keeyask partners Tataskweyak Cree Nation, York Factory First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation, wrote to Premier Brian Pallister Nov. 2 requesting an immediate meeting after meeting with Manitoba Hydro and public health officials earlier in the day.
“The province must recognize that there is an uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 at Keeyask,” said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee in a Nov. 2 news release. “Failing to address this situation in an urgent manner will have dire consequences for the entire province. Action is needed immediately to protect the health of all Manitoba residents.”
York Factory First Nation Chief Leroy Constant said on Facebook Nov. 2 that the Keeyask partner First Nations were working with the federal government’s First Nation and Inuit Health Branch to find possible isolation sites if members of the First Nations are unable to isolate themselves in their own homes.
“We have asked Manitoba Hydro to shut down the camp until the virus has been contained,” Constant wrote.
Churchill Keewatinook-Aski MP Niki Ashton wrote to federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller Nov. 2, asking the department and the federal government to support the First Nations in the area to the greatest extent possible.
“Manitoba Hydro must work with First Nations to develop a shutdown plan that keeps everyone safe,” Ashton wrote.
She also said that the Crown corporation should cover the costs of self-isolation for workers who have nowhere to safely self-isolate after leaving the camp.
“Workers must be compensated at this time,” Ashton wrote.
