Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

water and sewer infrastructure

Manitoba boosts funding for CentrePort expansion, cites absence of federal cash

Manitoba boosts funding for CentrePort expansion, cites absence of federal cash

The Manitoba government is willing to double its funding for a major expansion of CentrePort Canada in northwest Winnipeg to prevent it from being held up by a lack of federal cash. An estimated $60 million is required for water and sewer infrastructure to support the first phase of the inland shipping port's expansion project, CentrePort South. The province and City of Winnipeg previously committed $20 million each, conditional to a matching amount from Ottawa. But that hasn't come through "despite extensive provincial engagement," Premier Heather Stefanson said Friday.

Rankin Inlet's water and sewer system is at a critical breaking point

Rankin Inlet's water and sewer system is at a critical breaking point

A letter from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Mayor says the community urgently needs its water and sewer infrastructure replaced. MLA for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Alexander Sammurtok, tabled the letter in the legislature on March 9. The letter from Mayor Harry Towtongie says the utilidor system has reached critical capacity and has caused council to delay and even stop developments in the community.

Water and sewage problems strain lives in Edzo as families wait for relief

Water and sewage problems strain lives in Edzo as families wait for relief

Kelsey Mantla is still afraid to drink her tap water in Edzo, N.W.T., where water and sewer failures have been plaguing residents for weeks. Brown water has poured from the taps and underground pipes have burst, forcing some community members to rely on neighbours and family for basic sanitation. "We couldn't use the bathroom or anything. My kids would cry and the house stunk," said Mantla, whose house was flooded by a backed-up sewer. On Jan. 21, a water pump failed in the 200-person Tłı̨chǫ community of Edzo and many buried lines burst, taking out some residents' water for a month. Mantla lives in one of about 50 homes that had no water, or brown water, as a result.

Balmoral residents to benefit from improved road, water and sewer infrastructure

Balmoral residents to benefit from improved road, water and sewer infrastructure

The health and safety of Canadians are top priorities for all levels of government. Investments in local infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to create jobs, economic growth, and make our communities more sustainable and resilient. Today, René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and His Worship Guy Chiasson, Mayor of the Village of Balmoral, announced funding to improve the roadway and service infrastructure on Marcoux Street in Balmoral.

Follow us