Latest news with #NorwayHouse
CBC
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games postponed to 2026 due to wildfires
The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that were scheduled to begin next week in Norway House Cree Nation, have been postponed to next year. "As the hosts, we actually sent a letter to the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council on June 6 requesting a start of a rescheduling," said Edward "Sonny" Albert, president of the MISG North host corporation. The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council board passed a motion on June 9 to postpone the games to 2026, citing the wildfire emergency affecting participants and their communities and the province-wide state of emergency. The first half of the games was scheduled to be held in Norway House, about 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg, July 9-13, and the second half was scheduled for Aug. 17-23 in Sagkeeng First Nation, about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. An expected 2,000-4,000 athletes were expected to attend the games between the two host communities to participate in 16 different sports. "We're working hard to ensure that those participants that were going to come, will come next year," said Albert. One concern that athletes, parents and coaches have shared online is age eligibility. If the games are postponed a year, then the older athletes will no longer be eligible to compete in 2026. Albert said the age limits for 2026 will follow the North American Indigenous Games model of 18 and under and 15 and categories, therefore qualifying athletes who otherwise would have aged out of the MISG model. Sagkeeng First Nation is installing a $600,000 rubberized track for the athletics competition as a legacy project. According to Indigenous Services Canada, as of July 2, there were four First Nations in Manitoba evacuated and two more impacted by wildfires.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘No significant growth' in Manitoba's wildfires, but province keeping close eye as warmer weather arrives
Officials report on the current status of wildfires across Manitoba, detailing affected areas and ongoing response efforts. While there are still 25 wildfires burning in Manitoba with nine out of control, the province said the situation remains stable. In an update Thursday, the province's Wildfire Service said progress continues to be made to contain fires near communities. 'We have not had any new starts in the last 24 hours and no significant growth has been observed in recent days in any of the fires,' said Kristin Hayward, the assistant deputy minister with Manitoba's Wildfire and Conservation Officer services. She noted the fire burning in Whiteshell Provincial Park has been changed from out of control to being held. Despite the positive news, the wildfire situation is far from over. Hayward said warmer weather is coming and with that, the wildfire dangers levels are moderate throughout the province. 'As temperatures rise, the potential for flare ups does increase, so the fires may be laying low in these cooler, wetter temperatures and then as soon as the sun pops out and heats them, all of a sudden you start seeing smokes pop up.' Expand Autoplay 1 of 59 Wildfire haze Wildfire haze at Snowlake area (Photo by Kevin Shpak) Smoke filled skies from out of control wildfires in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Smoke filled skies from out of control wildfires in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force help evacuees board a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnow... Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force help evacuees board a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Manitoba wildfires A wildfire in the Flin Flon, Man. area is shown in a government handout photo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Manitoba Government (The Canadian Press) A wildfire in the Sherridon, Man. area is shown in a government handout photo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Manitoba Government A wildfire in the Wanless, Man. area is shown in a government handout photo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Manitoba Government *MANDATORY CREDIT* (The Canadian Press) A wildfire in the Sherridon, Man. area is shown in a government handout photo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Manitoba Government (The Canadian Press) Smoke seen coming from the Lynn Lake wildfire on May 27, 2025. (Brandon Dulewich) Lynn Lake fire Smoke is seen billowing from a wildfire burning near Lynn Lake on May 27, 2025. (Brandon Dulewich) Lynn Lake Wildfire smoke is seen near Lynn Lake, Man., on May 26, 2025. (Morley Moore) Sherridon fire A wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 28, 2025 (Michelle Reimer) Sherridon fire Smoke from a wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 27, 2025 (Dan Sinclair) Sherridon fire Smoke from a wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 27, 2025 (Dan Sinclair) Sherridon fire Smoke from a wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 27, 2025 (Dan Sinclair) Sherridon fire Smoke from a wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 27, 2025 (Dan Sinclair) Sherridon fire A wildfire near Sherridon is seen on May 28, 2025 (Michelle Reimer) Manitoba wildfire aftermath A home destroyed by a wildfire on Wendigo Road in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) wendigo road fire A home destroyed by a wildfire on Wendigo Road in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) Manitoba rm lac du bonnet fire The aftermath of a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) wendigo road fire A home destroyed by a wildfire on Wendigo Road in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) manitoba fire The aftermath of a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) Manitoba fire The aftermath of a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) RM of Lac du bonnet fire A car destroyed by a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) manitoba wildfire The aftermath of a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) manitoba wildfire Cars destroyed by fire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet are seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) manitoba fire damage Cars destroyed by fire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet are seen on May 21, 2025 (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet wildfire A fire burns as fire crews continue to fight wildfires around Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski (David Lipnowski/THE CANADIAN PRESS) lac du bonnet helicopter Fire hoses are strewn across burnt land as fire crews continue to fight wildfires around Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski (David Lipnowski/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks with patrons at the Drifters Inn as fire crews continue to fight wildfires near Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks with patrons at the Drifters Inn as fire crews continue to fight wildfires near Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski lac du bonnet volunteers Volunteers at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre make meals for first responders battling wildfires in the area on May 15, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) A member of the Manitoba Wildfire Program crosses a stream with a new hose on his back as fire crews continue to fight wildfires around Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski A member of the Manitoba Wildfire Program crosses a stream with a new hose on his back as fire crews continue to fight wildfires around Lac du Bonnet, Man., Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski lac du bonnet helicopter A helicopter flies out to battle a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet on May 15, 2025 (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet wildfire A helicopter flies out to battle a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet on May 15, 2025 (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) A burning ban warning sign is seen in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, Man. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert A burning ban warning sign is seen in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, Man. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert The Pas, Manitoba The Pas, Manitoba during fire suppression of the ongoing wildfire. (Photo by Xander Wadelius) Lac du Bonnet wildfire Wildfire smoke billowing in the air in Lac du Bonnet on May 14, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News) Manitoba wildfires Lee River fire Smoke from a wildfire burning near Lee River, Man. is seen on May 13, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) Lac du bonnet fire aerial An aerial photo shows a wildfire burning on May 14, 2025 in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, Man. (Government of Manitoba) A wildfire burns in the Wendigo Beach area near Lac du Bonnet, Man. in this handout photo posted on the Manitoba Hydro Facebook page on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Manitoba Hydro, Facebook *MANDATORY CREDIT* A wildfire burns in the Wendigo Beach area near Lac du Bonnet, Man. in this handout photo posted on the Manitoba Hydro Facebook page on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Manitoba Hydro, Facebook *MANDATORY CREDIT* lac du bonnet fire wendigo A sign for Wendigo Road in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, Man. on May 14, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet fire Smoke from a wildfire is seen on Wendigo Road in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, Man., on May 14, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet wildfire aerial An aerial photo shows a wildfire burning on May 14, 2025 in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, Man. (Government of Manitoba) St. Labre wildfire A wildfire nears St. Labre, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Gary Hora) St. Labre wildfire A wildfire nears St. Labre, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Gary Hora) Carrick wildfire Grey smoke fills the air outside Carrick, Man. (Gary Hora) St. Labre wildfire A wildfire nears St. Labre, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Gary Hora) Nopiming Provincial Park wildfire The remnants of a sign that once marked the entrance to Nopiming Provincial Park is shown in the aftermath of a wildfire on May 13, 2025. (Tab Harrop/Facebook) West Hawk Lake wildfire Smoke from a wildfire near Ingolf is seen from nearby West Hawk Lake on May 13, 2025. (Keith Henwood) Libau fire rcmp RCMP block off Road 32 East near Libau, Man. as crews battle a wildfire in the RM of St. Clements on May 12, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) Libau fire Smoke from a wildfire burning in the RM of St. Clements near Libau, Man. is seen on May 12, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) Lac du Bonnet wildfire Lac du Bonnet wildfire A water bomber flies above Lac du Bonnet, Man. as a wildfire burns in the area on May 13, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet fire lac du bonnet A row of cars are lined up as they evacuate a wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) lac du bonnet A wildfire burns near Lac du Bonnet, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) Lac du Bonnet wildfire Smoke from a nearby wildfire is seen over the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association ponds on May 13, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) Lac du Bonnet wildfire A water bomber flies above Lac du Bonnet, Man. as a wildfire burns in the area on May 13, 2025. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg) These flare ups are one of the reasons the province is still waiting to determine when evacuees can return home. There are currently over 21,000 evacuees registered with the Canadian Red Cross. Hayward said the province wants to ensure there is really good containment before people can return home. 'I know on the ground it can look like the situation is really improving over the last little while, but just as we look ahead at the weather that's coming, we want to be really certain that we have a good handle on things before people repatriate.' There have been 116 wildfires in Manitoba in 2025. Ian Bushie, the minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, said officials are cautiously optimistic after Manitoba received some rain over the past few days. However, he mentioned the province isn't even in the peak of wildfire season yet. 'As we go on, I'm encouraging Manitobans to be very fire smart and vigilant,' said Bushie. 'Pay attention to the fire bans and the restrictions that are appropriate to the certain areas that you are in the province.'
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Years after it was pitched, Canada is still waiting for a national disaster agency
Smoke filled skies from out of control wildfires in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski OTTAWA — In 2023, as Canada suffered through its worst-ever wildfire season, the federal government was looking at creating a national disaster response agency. Two years later, the country is again facing another summer of wildfires. There is still no sign of such an agency, though governments are tapping the private sector to help with evacuations. Ali Asgary, a York University professor of disaster and emergency management, said the work to establish a national agency is 'unfortunately … not going as fast as our crises are going.' Public Safety Canada indicated in a media statement the government is still working on it. 'We continue to work closely with Canada's firefighters, as well as municipal, provincial and territorial government officials, to find solutions consistent with our country's unique character to enhance our ability to keep Canadian communities safe,' the statement said. 'We will continue to explore all proposed options and work in collaboration with our partners to enhance our preparation.' In 2023, The Canadian Press reported that discussions on a new approach to natural disasters and other emergencies were well underway and included analysis of the merits of creating a Canadian version of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the United States. Better known as FEMA, the agency is responsible for preparing for, preventing, responding to and recovering from major incidents such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters. It runs a national response co-ordination centre which organizes federal support for major disasters and can deploy teams of doctors and nurses. The consequences of not having a federal agency are being seen in the stress that communities, provinces and emergency management agencies are feeling now, Asgary said. 'We are still in early June,' he noted, adding we still don't know what's going to happen with wildfires through July and August. He said the fire season has already 'overwhelmed us. Imagine when it is getting closer to bigger communities.' Saskatchewan and Manitoba have declared provincewide states of emergency — a move meant to make it easier for governments to co-ordinate resources and support. Most of Canada's current wildfires are burning in those two provinces, where more than 30,000 people have been evacuated. Smoke has drifted as far as Newfoundland and Labrador in the east and Texas in the south. At a press conference on Parliament Hill earlier this week, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said 'this wildfire season has started off more quickly and it's stronger, more intense than previous years.' Saskatchewan has seen 243 wildfires so far this fire season; in a typical year the province would see roughly 135. Canadian Armed Forces have been helping with evacuations in Manitoba, where fires have forced more than 17,000 residents out of their homes, mostly in the remote north. The private company Xpera has been involved in emergency response in Manitoba. The company's services include private investigations, helping businesses bring in replacement workers during strikes, and managing evacuations during crises. Robert Garland, the company's vice-president for emergency security management for Eastern Canada, told The Canadian Press the company helped to evacuate 226 people to Niagara Falls and could evacuate around 3,000 in total. Garland said the work was done though the company's contract with Emergency Management Ontario, which extended the contract to Manitoba's Emergency Management Organization. He said 'the offer came from Xpera, with a contract with the provincial and federal partners.' When asked who is paying for the evacuees' accommodations, Garland said that 'the funding comes from the provincial and federal partners. That's a contractual agreement between Indigenous communities and the federal government, Indigenous Services Canada, and in partnerships with obviously Indigenous communities.' Garland did not answer additional email questions about whether the company has a contract with the federal government. A spokesperson for Olszewski referred questions about a federal government contract to Indigenous Services Canada, which did not answer by deadline. Xpera has previously received millions of dollars through federal government contracts for services involving asylum seekers. Daniel Henstra, a professor at the University of Waterloo who researches climate change adaptation and emergency management, said the 'wildfires in Western Canada are huge already and developing so rapidly and the numbers of evacuees are just staggering.' The situation requires a 'massive logistical capacity that the government in Canada itself just doesn't have, and I would doubt that any provincial government would have it either,' he added. 'If in fact there is a contract with Xpera, it means that the scale of the evacuation is such that it's beyond the capacity of even… a behemoth like the Canadian Red Cross.' 'That's pretty significant.' Currently, the federal government only becomes involved in emergency response if a province asks it to step in. Olszewski told reporters that the government has deployed the Canadian Armed Forces to evacuate people in Manitoba and is ready to 'assist Saskatchewan and Alberta should they make formal requests for federal assistance.' While the military has immediate response units that are activated to respond to disasters, former chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre previously called on governments to lean less on the overstretched Armed Forces for disaster response. The military's main role in a disaster is to help local officials with logistics, planning and manpower. Asgary said a federal agency could take on various aspects of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The agency could exploit economies of scale for expenses like training or buying emergency system software. Henstra said the federal government should focus on shoring up local response capacity. He noted the government already held a consultation on a pan-Canadian Civilian Response Capacity. He suggested a 'mix of volunteers and professionals who receive money and training from government' who would be 'ready within the community to respond to disasters.' People in those communities have valuable local knowledge and experience and need resources to be able to respond, he said. For instance, they might know that a winter without a lot of snow means a bad fire season is ahead, putting them in a position to take steps like levelling areas to create a fire break. 'But you can't have even the military fly in with a C-130 full of bulldozers. That's just ridiculous, right? You need to have this equipment and experienced operators on the ground.' Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press — With files from Sharif Hassan This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Governments to give financial aid to wildfire evacuees in Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force help the Munroe family board a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski The federal and provincial governments have announced they will match Red Cross donations to help those affected by wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both provinces declared provincewide states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support. The federal government announced Wednesday that it would match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross that will support wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The government of Manitoba also pledged to match Red Cross donations to help with wildfire response in the province. The Government of Saskatchewan said it would immediately provide $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to work with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to support more than 15,000 residents in the province who have been displaced by wildfires. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said this fundraising initiative reflects the generosity shown in his province and throughout the country. Environment Canada issued bulletins warning of poor air quality in parts of northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where fires have forced a total of more than 30,000 people from their homes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Governments to give financial aid to wildfire evacuees in Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force help the Munroe family board a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski The federal and provincial governments have announced they will match Red Cross donations to help those affected by wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both provinces declared provincewide states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support. The federal government announced Wednesday that it would match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross that will support wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The government of Manitoba also pledged to match Red Cross donations to help with wildfire response in the province. The Government of Saskatchewan said it would immediately provide $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to work with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to support more than 15,000 residents in the province who have been displaced by wildfires. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said this fundraising initiative reflects the generosity shown in his province and throughout the country. Environment Canada issued bulletins warning of poor air quality in parts of northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where fires have forced a total of more than 30,000 people from their homes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
