Ottawa, Ontario - Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, issued the following statement:
"Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba declared a local state of emergency on December 29, 2025, following a power outage resulting of the failure of the power distribution line supplying the community.
Consequently, a significant number of homes sustained severe damage, and both the water, wastewater treatment facilities and other local infrastructure were compromised, leading to the evacuation of a large number of residents from the community.
Since the beginning of this emergency, our government has worked closely with Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), the Province of Manitoba, and other partners on the ground to respond. This has included a visit by federal technical teams supporting damage assessments, assistance with evacuations and essential services, the provision of generators and heaters, food and drinking water, and support to restore critical infrastructure.
In the spirit of close collaboration, and in my role as Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, I approved a Request for Federal Assistance from the Province of Manitoba on behalf of Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
This support includes the deployment of a specialized team from the Canadian Armed Forces to provide targeted assessment and advisory capabilities on water and sewage treatment, power generation, and project management, as well as logistics expertise.
The Government Operations Centre at Public Safety Canada is continuing to work closely with federal and provincial partners - including the Canadian Armed Forces and Indigenous Services Canada - to coordinate the response and mobilize the necessary federal resources to respond to the ongoing repair and recovery work taking place in Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting repairs and the safe return of residents to their homes, schools, and essential services as quickly as possible."
