Grand Rapids

In the very centre of our province is Grand Rapids, the site of the first major northern hydro-electric dam. Today I visited the community to talk with councillors of the Grand Rapids First Nation and with the mayor and councillors of the Town of Grand Rapids. There are quite a number of legitimate outstanding grievances. The NDP, in six years, have failed to pay close attention to this community. There is much work needed here to improve the situation.

In the photos above Rhonda Gordon and I are visiting with councillor Ron Bannatyne and with Don and Denise Packo at the Grand Rapids spillway site where members of the town and the First Nation are camped. In June, water going through the spillway moved a lot of debris into the lake and caused problems with the nets (many were lost) and resulted in poor fishing. There was no compensation. When Manitoba Hydro said, on short notice, it was going to open the spillway again this fall, the protest started.

One of the problems in Grand Rapids is that a luxurious residence for Hydro workers who come to Grand Rapids from outside the community stands in stark contrast to the spartan dwellings of most local residents. Inequities like this have fuelled resentment at the way those living in Grand Rapids have been treated.