Hydro rejects northern chiefs’ Keeyask criticisms

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This article was published 04/11/2020 (1468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Hydro says claims by northern chiefs that the utility had no plan to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak at the Keeyask generating station construction site are false.

In a three-page statement released Thursday evening, the utility said it has had a pandemic response plan in place since the spring.

“Few organizations have undertaken the scale and scope of measures we have, as fast as we have, and we will continue to do so based on public health guidance,” said Jay Grewal, Manitoba Hydro president and CEO.

“Claims and allegations that are categorically incorrect is, frankly, irresponsible and misleading, particularly when we have a collective obligation to uphold and protect the safety and well-being of all site workers and the neighbouring communities.”

A case of COVID-19 was identified on Oct. 25, and the utility hired a company to test all 713 workers at the site on Oct. 31.

As of Wednesday, tests have found 24 confirmed positive cases, and the utility is waiting for the results of eight more tests. Forty-five workers are isolating at the site.

But on Wednesday, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak issued a statement calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step in to ensure the virus outbreak at hydro’s construction site is addressed urgently.

“Our multiple meetings with Manitoba Hydro have made it clear that this corporation has no plan to address the uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak at the Keeyask construction site in northern Manitoba,” MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in a statement.

Grewal said the utility has implemented other measures, including mandatory mask wearing in common areas, enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and daily crew screening before starting work.

“Collectively, our focus, as well as that of our First Nations partners, must be to accurately inform, advise and educate workers at site as well as those in neighbouring communities on what we are doing to contain and limit the spread of COVID-19 and how are we working closely with public health officials, and acting on their guidance and expertise in this regard,” she said.

“Communicating anything other than that is akin to engaging in mis- and disinformation at a time when facts are needed.”