Peguis First Nation, a Manitoba First Nation, has filed a lawsuit against the federal and Manitoba governments, as well as two nearby municipalities, for their alleged failure to provide adequate protection against chronic flooding. The statement of claim alleges that the federal and Manitoba governments have neglected their responsibility to protect the community from frequent flooding, which has damaged homes and forced evacuations. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses the municipalities of diverting water from their areas onto the reserve’s land, exacerbating the flooding problem.
The last major flood in 2022 forced a mass evacuation and caused significant damage to homes as well as the water and sewer system. Peguis First Nation was originally located in another part of Manitoba but was relocated more than a century ago to the marshy delta of the Fisher River north of Winnipeg.
The allegations in the statement of claim have not yet been proven in court, and the defendants have not yet had the opportunity to file statements of defense.
