Statement on KCN blockade

May 16, 2020

Issued: May 16, 2020

The Keeyask Cree Nations and other Northern Manitoba communities have a legitimate interest to maintain the security and wellbeing of their members. The AHC shares their concerns regarding current COVID-19 worksite protections at Keeyask and supports efforts to protect northern communities and workers—many of which are also members of unions represented by the AHC.

Recent COVID-19 outbreaks in both northern Alberta and Saskatchewan emanating from the Kearl Lake work camp have further highlighted the need for a consistent level of protection for northern communities, especially regarding workers traveling from other provinces to the job site.

The AHC maintains that the protection of the psychological and physiological wellbeing of Manitoban communities is ultimately the responsibility of Manitoba Public Health. Every community in Manitoba is entitled to a level of protection. The AHC hopes to see Manitoba Public Health act with urgency to address Keeyask worksite regulation in order to protect workers and northern communities.

About Allied Hydro Council

The Allied Hydro Council of Manitoba (AHC) is a Council of 17 construction and trades unions that build hydro projects across Manitoba under the guidelines and standards set out in the Burntwood Nelson Agreement (BNA). AHC believes that a skilled northern Aboriginal workforce must be an enduring legacy of these projects. To that end, they are an active partner in training residents of First Nations communities and generating sustained employment for Aboriginal workers in the north.