Federal Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski visited Peguis First Nation on April 15, 2026, to meet with Premier Wab Kinew and assess the community’s ongoing flood response efforts.
The visit highlights the high-level government attention focused on the community as it faces a significant flood threat. Officials are concerned about the upcoming spring runoff in the Fisher River basin, where the snowpack is currently double the long-term average. Runoff is expected to begin around April 20, with peak water levels projected between April 23 and 28.
Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Lisa Naylor stated on April 14 that an evacuation of the community is very likely if flooding cuts off road access, as residents would be left without necessary medical care. Efforts to protect the area are underway, with nearly 110,000 sandbags already delivered. Volunteers from Team Rubicon, who are being funded by Indigenous Services Canada, are working alongside provincial employees to reinforce defenses.
This emergency response follows federal assistance approved on April 9. The community, which is the largest First Nation in Manitoba, continues to face challenges related to past flooding, including a $1 billion lawsuit filed in 2024 against federal, provincial, and municipal governments regarding long-term flood protection and past damages.
