Southern Chiefs' Organization Files Lawsuit to Grant Lake Winnipeg Legal Personhood

The lawsuit seeks constitutional rights for the lake and challenges Manitoba Hydro's management practices.

The Southern Chiefs' Organization (SCO) has filed a Charter challenge to have Lake Winnipeg declared a living entity with constitutional rights.
The lawsuit alleges that Manitoba Hydro's artificial control of water levels has caused significant environmental damage to the lake.
SCO claims the lack of environmental assessments for nearly 50 years has violated the rights of the lake and the First Nations who depend on it.
The group is demanding a public hearing and environmental assessment for Manitoba Hydro's licence renewal, set to expire in 2026.
Similar efforts to grant legal personhood to natural bodies have occurred in Quebec and Alberta, but none have been tested in court.