Stefanson fires back at federal minister, calls his comments on landfill search inflammatory

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says afederal minister was reckless and inflammatory when hecriticized the province Wednesday over its decisionnot tosearch alandfillfor the remains of two First Nations women.

Premier Heather Stefansonsaid last weekManitoba won't support a search of thePrairie Green landfill in the rural municipality of Rosserfor the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, who are believed to be thevictims of a serial killer.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller criticized ManitobaWednesday, calling that decision "heartless," but Stefanson responded Thursday with scathing remarks for the federal minister.

"Comments made in Halifax yesterday and today on the Prairie Green Landfill situation are more than unfortunate. When judgment and sensitivity are required, he has chosen to inflame and distort," Stefansonsaidin a news release.

"What should not happen must not happen is the continuing politicization of this awful tragedy. This irresponsible approach can only compound the suffering of the families, inflame wider community issues and threaten matters already before the courts."

Speaking in Halifax, Miller said Manitoba's decision has impaired the federal government's ability to help.

"The reaction that we've seen from our partner in Manitoba is one that makes any decision this summer logistically impossible," he said.

He also suggested the government's decision was callous.

Meanwhile on Thursday,members of theAssembly of First Nations passed a motion calling on Stefanson to reconsider the decision.

The motion, made at their annual general assembly in Halifax, also affirms AFN's support for "peaceful social actions" at Manitoba landfills and denounces any injunctions "from colonial courts that seek to remove these protesters."

The province's decision not to support a search of Prairie Green, seven months after police initially disclosedthey believed the women's remains were in the landfill, has led to widespread anger among the families of the victims, includinga blockade of the city-owned Brady Road landfill in south Winnipeg.

Stefanson has stood by the province's decision not to fund a landfill search because she says it's too dangerous and may affect thecourt proceedings of the two women's accused killer, Jeremy Skibicki.

She reiterated in the news release that her government stands by the families, but won't pay for a search for their loved ones.