The Liberal government committed $740,000 to fund another feasibility study on searching a Winnipeg landfill for the remains of two indigenous women alleged to have been murdered by a serial killer..A feasibility study earlier this year funded by the federal government determined a one-to-three-year search — costing up $184 million — might not be successful and could endanger the health and safety of workers sifting through 60,000 tonnes of toxic waste..The money will go to Long Plain First Nation, west of Winnipeg, where the two women were from, said Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree Wednesday following a Liberal caucus meeting..He wants the study completed within 90 days..“We’re confident that the community impacted will be able to work with our officials to ensure speedy work is undertaken,” said Anandasangaree..The remains of Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, are believed to be in the privately-owned Prairie Green Landfill, north of Winnipeg..Winnipeg’s Jeremy Skibicki, 35, has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four women last year — Harris, Myran, Rebecca Contois, 24 and an unidentified woman named Buffalo Woman (Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe)..The remains of Contois were found in two locations — a Winnipeg apartment building bin and another landfill..Manitoba premier-elect Wab Kinew, who defeated Heather Stefanson’s PCs Tuesday, campaigned on a promise to search the landfill..Stefanson had ruled out a landfill search and campaigned on the issue. The PCs cited health risks to searchers, including cancer and other diseases, the slim chance of finding remains, the cost to taxpayers and the possibility of jeopardizing the judicial process..However, Anandasangaree said the decision is the “next step in the process” and “exactly the plan” Long Plain First Nation had been seeking..He explained this study will assess what a search will require including procurement of equipment, building facilities, training and personnel needed and logistics such as management of toxic, hazardous and biohazardous waste..Anandasangaree said the federal government, is “in it for the long haul” but wouldn’t commit to footing the potential $184 million search cost..Long Plain First Nation will examine scenarios outlined in the initial study and work with Prairie Green and provincial and municipal government members..The announcement was made on the Sisters in Spirit Day and the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and (sexual minority) people..“The situation surrounding the Prairie Green Landfill is heart-wrenching and is part of the sad reality of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,” said Anandasangaree in a statement. .Last month a poll determined Manitobans were split on the search..A Probe Research poll commissioned by CTV and the Winnipeg Free Press found 47% were in favour, 45% opposed, and 8% undecided.
