Historic abuse linked to Manitoba Hydro

‘I SEEN WOMEN RAPED:’ REPORT ALLEGES HYDRO DEVELOPMENT LED TO ABUSE IN MANITOBA

The Manitoba government is asking the RCMP to investigate accusations that hydro development in northern Manitoba decades ago led to sexual abuse of Indigenous women.

The allegations are contained in a report from the province’s arm’slength Clean Environment Commission, which held hearings earlier this year on the environmental and social effects of energy development from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Much of the development was centered around the community of Gillam and the nearby Fox Lake Cree Nation.

“The arrival of a largely male construction workforce led to the sexual abuse of Indigenous women. People spoke of construction workers getting them inebriated and then taking advantage of them,” the report said.

“Some spoke of instances of institutions intended to protect people, particularly the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, brutalizing men, permitting the exploitation of women, and failing to take local complaints seriously, although there were also instances of these complaints being addressed.”

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires called the allegations disturbing and said she is referring the issue to the RCMP.

“We know that there (is) no statute of limitations on sexual violence,” Squires said Tuesday. “We want to ensure there is a path forward for anybody to come forward and have their complaints, or their allegations, heard and investigated if that is their wish.”

The Mounties will also examine their original handing of complaints, Squires added.

Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen said officials at the Crown utility “take these allegations extremely seriously and we will co-operate fully with RCMP.”