Kinew briefs PM on landfill search during morning run

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This article was published 29/08/2024 (375 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wab Kinew and Justin Trudeau laced up their running shoes for a jaunt around Assiniboine Park Thursday morning, with the premier using the time to brief the prime minister on one of Manitoba’s most pressing issues.

“I did provide a very detailed update to the prime minister about the status of the landfill search,” Kinew said, referring to plans to excavate a section of the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg to search for the remains of two murdered Indigenous women.

“What I told him is that we have voices from each of the (victims’) families helping us to run this oversight committee so that they can steer the project management.”

The federal and provincial governments have committed a combined $40 million to search the landfill for Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran — both victims of convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki.

Kinew — who said Trudeau “runs a pretty good pace” — spoke to reporters about the briefing at an unrelated news conference. He confirmed for the first time the province has begun hiring staff to participate in the search operations.

The premier did not confirm who will be tasked with sifting through the landfill debris, but noted Indigenous leadership, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, will have “a really concrete role” as the project moves forward.

The province previously said workers will use rakes or other tools to spread material and open bags, and then carry out visual inspections for human remains. The presence of asbestos and toxic chemicals may pose a risk.

“We can provide details in terms of what you would define as a searcher soon enough,” he said. “Bottom line, we are on track for that October targeted (search) phase of where we believe the bodies of these two women are most likely to be.”

Kinew said he plans to visit the landfill in-person Friday.

“It’s all good to draw up plans around a board room, but I also think it’s important to put eyes on the project at hand and to be there on the ground,” he said.

The province will provide further updates surrounding the project next week, including details about preventative measures that will support families of slaying victims in the future, Kinew said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca