Manitoba-Hydro reneges on deals

The project was approved, based on “benefits” and “costs” (arguably) and now they pull the rug out AGAIN?

Manitoba Hydro cancels $4.2M payments to municipalities for Manitoba-Minnesota transmission line support

The RM of Piney was planning to create a foundation that would offer scholarships and bursaries to youth, among other initiatives, as part of its $800,000 payment, Parent said. 

“It would have long-lasting benefits to the individuals here, because these towers are going to be up for not just my generation, but many generations to come,” she said.  

The “provincial government has taken a different position on benefit programs,” Hydro said in a statement, and the Crown utility is “aligning itself with the government’s position.” 

Spokesperson Bruce Owen added that Manitoba Hydro had the right to walk away because no agreements were ever signed or formally in place.

The funding would have been earmarked for community enhancement projects, including projects that promote environment sustainability or provide training, employment, economic development or develop community infrastructure, Owen wrote.

Financial incentives from Hydro remain in place for the owners of property the route will go through.

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Kiansky said the RM of Stuartburn was going to set aside money to encourage year-round use of the arena in Vita, about 95 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.

The other southeastern Manitoba municipalities that would have received money were the RMs of Springfield, Tache, La Broquerie and Ste. Anne. 

Opposition to transmission line

The RM of La Broquerie was among the vocal critics who chastised Manitoba Hydro for not choosing a more easterly route for the Manitoba-Minnesota line. They held community meetings in opposition to the transmission line.

Council eventually agreed to cease its opposition once Hydro’s funding package — in excess of $900,000 — was proposed, said Reeve Lewis Weiss.

I know I’m the one, along with everyone else, who’s really paying for these things anyway.

– RM of La Broquerie  Reeve Lewis Weiss

He said he always opposed the transmission line, and still does. 

“I had a lot of people — farmers and residents — that did not want that line here, so I felt like I fought pretty hard against it.”

Weiss isn’t too bothered that a cheque won’t be coming the municipality’s way, however.

“As a resident, I’m not hurt,” Weiss said. “I know I’m the one, along with everyone else, who’s really paying for these things anyway.”