Protecting Water Respecting Shoal Lake 40 and Lake Winnipeg
One should get into politics to serve people of all ages. So, it warmed my heart to be the recipient of direct political action of children in Ms. Ramraj's class. All summer I have organized artfully their contributions in support of Shoal Lake 40 and considered accountability in getting back to them and what outcomes they can count on as a result of working on their priority: water and respect for Shoal Lake 40
The 2019 budget contained some important investments that demonstrate council commitment to water.
Directing $400 million to the North End Treatment Plant, investments in The Netley-Libeau pilot project are two such examples that prioritize what Winnipeg can do for water.
In June Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers on behalf of Mayor Bowman attended the celebration with Shoal Lake 40 for the completion of Freedom Road.
"Freedom Road comes from the efforts of generations of our people and former leaders. Sadly, some paid the ultimate price. Restoring our access to the world fixes something from the past but, we hope, with the example of success we achieved with our government partners, this project can also be the beginning of a road to reconciliation. I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to our three partner governments as well as the many, many Manitobans and Canadians who supported our campaign for Freedom Road."
- Chief Erwin Redsky, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation
"The completion of Freedom Road marks a significant milestone for Shoal Lake 40 and the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg. I'm proud to have supported this collective effort. As Winnipeggers, we can never forget where our water comes from and this is especially important this year when 100 years ago water first began flowing from Shoal Lake into Winnipeg's McPhillips street reservoir."
- Mayor Brian Bowman, City of Winnipeg
Structural attention and investments by provincial, federal even state coordination and coalition building is what will ultimately save our great lakes Intergovernmental cooperation on ecologically important wetlands to save our great lakes. We need USA, Ontario, and Manitoba source interventions. We need to better understand internal phosphorus load in Lake Winnipeg too.
Closer to home in partnership with West-Broadway Directors we are contemplating a water fountain for basic access to drinking water.