Peguis First Nation Interim Flood Protection Project

Public Notice

Peguis First Nation Interim Flood Protection Project – Public comments invited

August 10, 2026 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed project, located in Peguis First Nation is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by September 9, 2026 to:

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Shelly Johnson, Senior Environmental Specialist
200 - 365 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3A3
Telephone: 204-227-3891
Email: shelly.johnson@sac-isc.gc.ca
 

The proposed project

Peguis First Nation, Manitoba Infrastructure, and Indigenous Services Canada are developing an interim flood protection plan for Peguis First Nation. The purpose of the project is to protect homes and critical infrastructure until a long-term flood mitigation system is built. The interim plan includes the immediate construction of clay dikes around homes and a larger dike around key administrative, commercial, and cultural infrastructure, along with upgrades to local roads. Construction is targeted to begin in August 2026.

Project activities will include:

• Construction of a permanent central community dike around critical community buildings, as well as permanent subdivision dikes and individual dikes for homes most at risk of annual flooding.
• Raising on-reserve access roads where required.
• Developing, using, and reclaiming on-reserve borrow areas.
• Improving and maintaining haul routes where required.
• Completing drainage improvements.
• Clearing trees only where necessary.
• Developing temporary laydown and camp areas.

Peguis First Nation is the proponent and will provide oversight on the project, including local knowledge regarding the project area. Indigenous Services Canada is funding the work and will assist with any required on-reserve permits related to construction. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure will provide the technical expertise and resources needed to support planning, design, and construction.

All project work will take place on reserve, and some work will be located near the Fisher River. The Fisher River is considered a navigable watercourse within the project area. No in-water work or related in-water activities are planned. Borrow areas will not be located within 100 metres of the Fisher River or any other navigable watercourse; however, portions of individual and multi-property dikes may be within the two-year floodplain. For this reason, the project will be submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for review to determine whether an authorization is required.