Pallister comes under fire after province cancels 2nd agreement with Manitoba Metis Federation

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government has terminated another deal between the province, Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba MetisFederation.

The Turning the Page agreement (Kwaysh-kin-na-mihk Ia paazhin Michif, the Mtis language) was signed in 2014. It laid out the terms for $20 million worth of payments to the MMF over 20 years in exchange for support for Manitoba Hydro activities, including the BipoleIII transmission line and the Keeyaskgeneration project.

Thecancellation provoked an angry and personal response from theMMFon Wednesday,directed at Premier BrianPallister.

"Why in the hell would you make that decision? What guided you? Is it vindictiveness? Do you want to get revenge on the Mtispeople because they stood up against you?" said MMFpresident DavidChartrand.

• Manitoba Metis, Hydro sign $20M deal

A termination clause had been written into the agreement that allowed any of the three signatories to opt out of the deal.

Chartrandsaid the provincial government violated the honour of the Crown when it exercised its option to end the agreement.

Pallistertold reporters Wednesday afternoonhis government was ending the practice of paying people not to participate in environmental consultation processes.

"The Mtisfederation and all MtisManitobanshave the right to participate in processes. They fought hard for those rights and we respect that. Enough to make sure we won't make payments to stop them from exercising those rights, now or in the future," Pallistersaid.

Pallistersaid he acceptsthere could be legal costs or delays with future Hydro projects or other developments as a result of his government's decision.

Cancelled $67Magreement in March

It is the second such arrangement cancelled by the Manitoba government.

Pallisteralso cancelled a $67-million agreement between the three parties in March this year after calling it "persuasion money."

Pallistersaid the cancellation of the agreement was the reason nine of 10 of the board of directors of Hydro resigned, though outgoing board chair Sandy Riley disputed that statement, saying the premier had refused to meet with the board on several issues.

• Premier says 'persuasion money' reason for mass resignation of Manitoba Hydro board
• Premier and former Hydro chair continue battle over board resignation

Chartrand vowed earlier this year to launch a court battle with the provincial government over the cancellationof the $67-million agreement.

The deal was negotiated by Hydro to get support from theMMFfor construction of theManitoba-Minnesota transmission line project.

'Court case after court case after court case'

At a press conference at MMFheadquarters in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Chartrand questioned Pallister's business acumen and the reasons forthe decision, and promisedyears of legal fights were coming.

"We will definitely be moving in court on this matter probably court case after court case after court case. But one thing we can say for surewe're not going away. He is. His time is coming," Chartrandsaid.

The MMFpresident also tooka swipe at Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer, suggesting it was "sinister" that Mayer who isMtis was in charge of Hydro and party to cancelling the deal with the Manitoba MtisFederation.

Mayer spoke with reporters after question period Wednesday, sayingwhile she spoke for all Manitobans and all Mtis,that wasn't necessarily the case when it came to Chartrand and the MMF.

"I have heard voices in our communities who, they believe that president Chartranddoesn't represent their views," Mayer said.

Chartrandalso suggested the government would turn its focus to cancelling agreements with other Indigenous groups.

"Imagine, after he gets us, First Nations are next. He's got to hit them next," Chartrandsaid.

Chartrand suggested all decisions about the future of Hydro are made by Pallisterhimself, sidestepping itsexecutives and board of directors.

Efforts to rebuild the relationship between the PC government and the MMFstalled after Pallister said the cancelled $67-millionpayment was "hush money" paid to a "special interest group," and a series of meetings between the two sides were either cancelled or reached no consensus.

Chartrandsays the cancellationwould mean MMFopposition to projects critical to Hydro, including the Manitoba-Minnesota transmission line and another power line to Saskatchewan.

Kinew calls Pallister a liar

Political fallout to the Tories'decision came fast and furious.

NDP leader Wab Kinewcalled itan effort by Pallisterto divide Manitobans and challenged the premier's reasons for doing it.

"Let me put this in nuanced terms. Everything the premier told you was a lie. It is remarkable to me that the premier could come out say everything that he just said. He is clearly disrespecting the government of the Mtispeople," Kinewtold reporters.

Liberal leader Dougald Lamont notedthe PC government had no difficultybailing out the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for millions in loans they couldn't pay,yet would cancel a signed deal with the MMF.

Lamont saidManitoba Hydro has lost its entire board and CEO this year and has had two separate ministers in charge of the file, yet this was the direction the Torieswere taking.

"This has been a year of absolute chaos at Manitoba Hydro. It has an unbelievable amount of debt. It has almost as much debt as the entire province and it's growing and the premier is breaking old agreements?" Lamont said.

Pallister under fire after province cancels 2nd agreement with MMF

6 years ago

Duration 2:32

Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government has terminated another deal between the province, Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Metis Federation.