The leadership of a First Nation in southern Manitoba is urging the province to remove a gas main that traverses its land, citing safety concerns and lack of community benefits. Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation has threatened legal action if the government and Manitoba Hydro fail to address the removal of the gas line that cuts through a significant portion of the main reserve.
In a letter addressed to Premier Wab Kinew and Hydro CEO Allan Danroth, the community expressed discontent over the gas line, highlighting its absence of economic advantages and the potential safety hazards it poses, such as fires and explosions. The First Nation emphasized that despite the gas line passing through their territory, it does not provide any energy services to their homes.
The gas main, situated along Provincial Road 201 and crossing beneath the Red River, is part of a new 36.6-kilometre natural gas transmission line project intended to connect gas facilities near Dominion City and Altona. Construction of the project, approved by the province’s environmental approvals branch in March, is scheduled to commence this summer.
A 2024 Hydro report conducted on behalf of Centra Gas, a subsidiary, indicated that the new transmission line would enhance the gas network’s capacity in southern Manitoba to meet the growing demand from urban expansion and agricultural operations. The report assured that the project would not disturb Roseau’s territory and stated that the existing gas line installed in 2023 did not encroach on the First Nation’s lands.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the First Nation regarding safety during construction, Manitoba Hydro and the provincial government have refrained from providing detailed comments on the matter. Roseau River has criticized the historical lack of compensation and benefits for their territory’s usage by external entities, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and compensation moving forward.
The community has asserted that any unauthorized entry into their land will be deemed trespassing, with plans to prevent Hydro workers from accessing the gas line without explicit authorization from the chief and council. The leadership of Roseau River has emphasized their commitment to safeguarding their rights under the treaty and ensuring that any engagement related to the gas line project is conducted transparently and fairly.