Decision on possible search for remains at Manitoba landfill coming 'very shortly': federal minister

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

The federal government will soon decide whether it will commit to supporting a search at a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two First Nations women, the minister for Crown-Indigenous relations says — while also calling politicization of the issue during Manitoba's election campaign "deeply offensive and deeply troubling."

"We will make a decision very shortly" on a potential search, Gary Anandasangaree told CBC in Toronto on Friday.

"I'm committed to continuing this conversation."

Calls have been growing across the country to search the privately owned Prairie Green landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran — two First Nations women suspected to have been victims of an alleged serial killer.

Police believe their remains were taken to the landfill, just north of Winnipeg, last year.

The Manitoba government has stood firm on its refusal to support a search at Prairie Green. In July, Premier Heather Stefanson — whose Progressive Conservative Party is seeking a third consecutive term in Tuesday's provincial election — said a search would be too dangerous for workers, and that there was no guarantee it would result in finding the women's remains.

A feasibility report completed earlier this year concluded a successful search is possible, but could take up to three years and cost up to $184 million.

Anandasangaree said the federal Liberal government is willing to support a search, but the province would have to get on board too.

"[The] federal government is here for the long run, and we invite the province of Manitoba to do the same," he said.

"We're not having a mature conversation with the different levels of government on how to get to the right place. We need all governments to be at the table."

Anandasangaree has met twice with the families of Harris and Myran since he was sworn in as minister in July — including a meeting on Sept. 18, an International Day of Action to Search the Landfills organized by the families and supporters.

Cambria Harrris, Morgan Harris' daughter, said she walked out of that meeting in Ottawa after the government didn't firmly commit to a search.

"I recognize how frustrating that may be, but unfortunately we were not able to have clarity at that meeting," Anandasangaree said Friday.

'Deeply hurtful to the families'

The question of the landfill search has also come up in Manitoba's provincial election campaign.

The Progressive Conservatives have been actively campaigning on their opposition to a search, taking out a full-page ad in last Saturday's Winnipeg Free Press that highlighted the party's stance.

The ad included a photo of Stefanson, with the quote, "For health and safety reasons, the answer on the landfill dig just has to be no."

Anandasangaree said it "is deeply offensive and deeply troubling and deeply hurtful to the families to have this politicized in such a way that re-traumatizes the family members and the community."

"I don't think this is acceptable in a political discourse."

A supporter for the Harris and Myran families said Wednesday that the ad, along with Stefanson's ongoing refusal to fund a search, is what led to a new blockade in front of another landfill.

Protesters blocked off the entrance road to the Brady Road landfill, a city-owned facility in south Winnipeg, on Wednesday, demanding a search at the Prairie Green landfill.

An earlier barricade at Brady Road was dismantled on July 18.

Anandasangaree said it's ultimately up for Manitobans to decide how to move forward.

"It is something that is deeply troubling when this issue is politicized during a campaign, and I will leave it to the people of Manitoba to decide what those options are."

The provincial election is Oct. 3.

• Read full coverage of the 2023 Manitoba election here

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