The federal and provincial governments have committed $20 million each toward searching the Prairie Green Landfill.
Spokespeople for both governments confirmed the funding Friday afternoon in separate emails, with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, two missing Indigenous women whose remains are believed to be in the landfill, holding a news conference today.
The families have accused the provincial government of delays and inaction since it promised during last fall’s election campaign that there would be a search of the landfill.
Premier Wab Kinew has said he is committed to getting the landfill searched but, as of earlier this month, could not answer questions about timelines, operation details and funding.
An Indigenous-led committee commissioned two reports on the feasibility of a search, which has been estimated to cost $90 million if completed within a year.
Jeremy Skibicki is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Harris, Myran and two other women, Rebecca Contois, whose partial remains were found in a different landfill, and an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman, whose remains have not been found.
Skibicki’s jury trial is scheduled for 28 days starting April 29.
Source Agencies
