Provincial
Energy & Infrastructure

Manitoba Hydro Dorsey to Wash'ake Mayzoon (D83W) Transmission Line Technical Review

The proposed Dorsey to Wash'ake Mayzoon Transmission line includes a new 98-km, 230 kV transmission line that will begin at the existing Dorsey Converter Station. The proposal also includes plans to build footings along the line and a new station west of Portage la Prairie (Wash'ake Mayzoon Station) where the transmission will end. The Project scope includes pre-construction, construction (18 months), operations, maintenance, and decommissioning. The project's life expectancy will be approximately 75 years.

In November of 2024 Manitoba Hydro (the Proponent) submitted their Environment Act Proposal to the Province of Manitoba for the Dorsey to Wash'ake Mayzoon (D83W) Transmission line. This proposed transmission line falls within both the Southwest and Interlake Regions of the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. The Regional Assessment Area (RAA) for the project also enters the Winnipeg Region.

The Red River Métis maintain substantial historic and ongoing Métis Land Use, Occupancy, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in these regions. This includes hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and cultural and occupancy sites within 20 km of the Project (see Fig. 1). Considering the historic and contemporary presence of Red River Métis in the area, project planning, approval, and all other associated activities must be analyzed for their impacts on the Rights, interests, and claims of the Red River Métis.

Manitoba Hydro Dorsey to Wash'ake Mayzoon Transmission Line Technical Review

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Manitoba Hydro Radisson to Henday (R44H) Transmission Project Technical Review

The Radisson to Henday Transmission Project in Manitoba is a 230kV transmission line developed by Manitoba Hydro to improve electricity transmission in the northern part of the province. The line will span approximately 42 kilometres, connecting the Radisson and Henday converter stations, along the Nelson River near Gillam, Manitoba. This project will follow an existing right-of-way corridor. This project aims to enhance the capacity of the northern collector system, which is critical for transferring power from northern generating stations to the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system. The project will also address aging infrastructure and aims to improve reliability and reduce the risks associated with power transmission.

Project activities include clearing land, installing foundations, assembling towers, stringing conductors, and integrating electrical components at the converter stations. The 42km right of way requires an additional clearing of 60m in width. Most of the existing land cover is comprised of natural forest (36%) and wetland habitat (45%) (Figure 2). The proposed timeline for completion is for summer 2026, but will likely be delayed.

The Red River Métis maintain substantial historic and ongoing Métis Land Use, Occupancy, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in this region. This includes hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and cultural land occupancy within 20 km of the Project (Figure 4). Considering the historic and contemporary Red River Métis presence in the area, project planning, approval, and all other associated activities must be analyzed for their impacts on the Rights, interests, and claims of the Red River Métis.

Manitoba Hydro Radisson to Henday (R44H) Transmission Project Technical Review

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Manitoba Hydro Pointe du Bois to Whiteshell PREP (PW75) Transmission Line Technical Review

The proposed Pointe du Bois to Whiteshell is a transmission line consisting of two segments, Pointe du Bois to Lee River and Lee River to Whiteshell. The first segment is replacing the existing 66 kV line with an upgraded 115kV line, requiring the expansion of the width of the existing right-of-way by 38 m. The second segment, Lee River to Whiteshell, is a new 115kV line requiring a 60-m right-of-way to be cleared. Several other components at the Pointe du Bois, Lee River, and Whiteshell generating stations will be replaced or retrofitted.

Manitoba Hydro (the Proponent) submitted their Environmental Assessment Report to the Province of Manitoba for the Pointe du Bois to Whiteshell (PW75) Transmission Project in July 2023. This proposed transmission line Project, located in southeastern Manitoba, falls within the Southeast Region of the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. The Project crosses a total of 32 watercourses, including larger waterbodies such as the Winnipeg River, Lee River, and Boggy Creek (See Figure 1 for project area).

The Red River Métis maintain substantial historic and ongoing Métis Land Use, Occupancy, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in this region. This includes hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and cultural and occupancy sites within 20 km of the Project (See Figure 4). Considering the historic and contemporary Red River Métis presence in the area, project planning, approval, and all other associated activities must be analyzed for their impacts on the rights, interests, and claims of the Red River Métis.

Manitoba Hydro Pointe du Bois to Whiteshell PREP (PW75) Transmission Line Technical Review

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Winnipeg River Dams Short Term Extension Licenses Technical Review

Manitoba Hydro (MH) owns and operates Water Power Generating Stations, also known as hydroelectric facilities or power plants (herein referred to as "GSs" or "facilities"), within the National Homeland of the Red River Métis (Red River Métis). These facilities generate electricity from the power of falling water, often requiring the flooding of valleys and the creation of dams and water reservoirs. These dams have had long-standing impacts to Red River Métis Citizens. Historically they have impacted travel routes, decimated heritage resources, and permanently flooded crown and private land. These changes have destroyed habitat for key fish species (e.g., Lake Sturgeon) and fur-bearing mammals (e.g., beaver), and eliminated once-productive areas of wild rice; impacts which continue in some areas due to ongoing erosion. Currently, impacts persist regarding water flow management and continued alternation and destruction of shorelines, fish habitat, and water quality.

Consultation and engagement with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and Red River Métis Citizens have been lacking over the lifetime of waterpower projects, despite these direct impacts from MH operations on rivers and waterways. Manitoba Hydro has repeatedly evaded meaningful consultation and engagement through the issuance of Short Term Extension Licences (STELs), which do not require fulsome consultation. The Government of Manitoba Environmental Approval Branch (EAB) has recently requested review and citizen engagement on the approval of several STELs for Winnipeg River Dams. The MMF hopes this opportunity to engage will result in meaningful collaboration on the development

Winnipeg River Dams Short Term Extension Licenses Technical Review

 

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Stonewall Woodlands Regional Water Supply Project Review

In 2024 The Manitoba Métis Federation's Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management Department has undertaken a technical review of the proposed project, and held a Citizen meeting in the area to get feedback on potential impacts to the rights, claims, and interests of Red River Métis. This report was submitted to the town of Stonewall (the proponent) for consideration as part of their engagement and consultation process. This report represents the beginning of EIRM conversations with the Proponent on how to best minimize, avoid or compensate for impacts to Red River Métis by the Project.

Stonewall Water Treatment Plant Technical Review

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