Manitoba’s premier reiterated on Thursday that her government’s decision not to help pay for a search for the remains of two First Nations women at a Winnipeg-area landfill was based strictly on safety concerns for those who would be sifting through the materials.
The feasibility report Stefanson referred to was completed in May, and looked at the logistics of searching the privately run Prairie Green landfill, north of Winnipeg, for the remains of Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26.
Both women are believed to have been among the victims of an alleged serial killer. Winnipeg police said they believe the women’s remains were transported to the landfill in May 2022.
The feasibility report — prepared by a working group that included First Nations leaders, family members, police and other officials — outlined concerns about health and safety with a possible search, and recommended on-site hazardous materials teams monitor air quality, act as safety officers and perform decontamination of personnel who work closely with evacuated materials.
It also found that a successful search could cost up to $184 million and take up to three years to complete — but that not doing it could cause considerable distress to the victims’ family members and Indigenous communities across the country.
Stefanson’s comments were her first made publicly after the province released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying it “cannot knowingly risk Manitoba workers’ health and safety for a search without a guarantee” of finding remains.
Shortly after that announcement, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick dismissed the province’s explanation, saying the safety concerns were addressed in the feasibility report.
