Fake flood evacuee lived in Winnipeg home
Woman is among hundreds of claims being probed by federal government
CBC News
Posted: Mar 21, 2012 7:54 AM CT
Last Updated: Mar 21, 2012 6:32 PM CT
A woman claiming to be a Manitoba flood evacuee moved from her Winnipeg home into a city hotel to get government benefits, according to another evacuee.
Edee O'Meara of Lake St. Martin First Nation told CBC News that she has been at the woman's Winnipeg home in The Maples area of the city for children's birthday parties.
"And all of a sudden, her and her children have hotel rooms at the Thrift Lodge and she's just partying it up," O'Meara said.
The woman, along with her children, would likely be receiving more than $4,000 a month in government flood money.
Sid Dutchak, a senior official with the federal Aboriginal Affairs Department, said the government is looking into allegations of hundreds of fake flood evacuees.
When the Lake St. Martin reserve was severely damaged by flooding this past spring, about 800 people were forced from their homes and many were put up in Winnipeg hotel rooms.
'Who are these people?'
Lake St. Martin now has more than 1,300 registered flood evacuees.
"Who are these people?" O'Meara said.
Government officials say many of those were not likely living on reserve when the community was evacuated and their benefits will be cut off.
Dutchak has told the Lake St. Martin chief and council to provide him with accurate lists.
"It’s not a huge community, so they will know that someone was either living in Winnipeg for 10 years or was evacuated last spring," he said.
Chief Adrian Sinclair refused to comment on the matter.
Lake St. Martin First Nation is about 300 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Share Tools
Latest Manitoba News Headlines
- Second man charged in death of Winnipeg model
- Winnipeg police have charged a second man in connection with the death of a young model who was shot to death in March of last year. more »
- Man,23, killed in head-on crash near Brandon
- A 23-year-old Brandon man has died after a head-on crash involving a pickup truck and a semi carrying fertilizer, just north of Brandon, Man. Friday night. more »
- Steinbach RCMP find marijuana grow-op, 65 plants seized
- A Friday morning assault has led police officers in Steinbach, Man. to a marijuana grow op and the seizure of about 65 plants. more »
- Elijah Harper, key player in Meech Lake accord, dies at 64
- Elijah Harper, a former Manitoba MLA and MP who was a key player in defeating the Meech Lake accord, has died at age 64. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Rescue attempt over for New Brunswick fishermen
- The rescue attempt for two missing fishermen has been called off in New Brunswick, hours after one body was found. more »
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life
- Canada's space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he's taking his homecoming one step at a time. more »
- Afghan legislators block law protecting women
- An Afghan legislator says conservative lawmakers have blocked approval of a law that aims to protect women's freedoms, saying parts of it violate Islamic principles. more »
- Man,44, charged in Charleswood double homicide
- Man,23, killed in head-on crash near Brandon
- Elijah Harper, key player in Meech Lake accord, dies at 64
- Two bodies found in Charleswood home
- Second man charged in death of Winnipeg model
- 6 tips for Manitoba gardeners this long weekend
- Athletics Manitoba director dies in highway crash
- Steinbach RCMP find marijuana grow-op, 65 plants seized
- Vince Li gets Winnipeg visitation privileges

