Manitoba and LP Canada Sued by Pine Creek First Nation Over Duck Creek Forest Rights

The Minegoziibe Anishinabe (formerly Pine Creek First Nation, or PCFN) is suing Manitoba and Louisiana Pacific-Canada Ltd., alleging it has not been directly consulted about forest management rights for more than 15 years.

According to a notice of application filed in a Manitoba courtroom on January 26, 20222, PCFN says the province has “failed to enforce critical conditions of Louisiana-Pacific’s forestry authorizations,” including logging in the area without a long-term forest management plan approved by the First Nation.

The group says it has been a long-standing issue and its concerns are not being heard. The group also notes that currently, Duck Mountain Provincial Park is the “only provincial park in Manitoba in which commercial timber harvesting is authorized.”

In a statement, LP Building Solutions says it is “aware that Pine Creek First Nation is pursuing a legal challenge against the Government of Manitoba and LP Canada respecting forest management operations within the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest Area. Although we cannot comment on the lawsuit, LP remains committed to engaging with Indigenous Nations, including Pine Creek, regarding our sustainable forest management operations in Manitoba.”

The case will first go before a judge on February 8, 2022.