Cambria Harris, the daughter of Morgan Harris, addressed a gathering on Parliament Hill during an International Day of Action focusing on searching landfills. The event took place in Ottawa on Monday, September 18, 2023. Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and another woman known as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, were allegedly killed by a serial murderer, and it is speculated that their remains could be located in a landfill north of Winnipeg. The information was provided to THE CANADIAN PRESS by Justin Tang.
The family of Morgan Harris, one of the victims allegedly slain by Winnipeg serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, has filed discrimination complaints with the Human Rights Commission of Manitoba against the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and the Manitoba government. The complaints, filed by Harris's daughter Cambria, assert discrimination against Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and their families.
Jeremy Skibicki faces charges in connection with the murders of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman known as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman. Their remains are believed to be in the Prairie Green Landfill outside Winnipeg. Skibicki pleaded not guilty in November 2023, and none of the charges have been proven in court.
The decision to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the victims' remains became a contentious issue during the 2023 election. The Progressive Conservatives, led by former premier Heather Stefanson, opposed the landfill search, citing safety concerns.
The complaint against the Progressive Conservatives alleges discriminatory campaign advertisements, including phrases like "Stand firm against the $184 million landfill dig" and "For health and safety reasons, the answer on the landfill dig just has to be no." The family argues that despite a Feasibility Report outlining risk mitigation strategies, the party campaigned against searching the landfill, reflecting a discriminatory attitude towards the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.
The complaint further claims that the party invested money in perpetuating discrimination rather than addressing it. Cambria expressed dismay, stating that Stefanson used her mother's death to score political points, exploiting the family's grief.
The complaint against the province alleges discrimination in not allocating funds and resources for the landfill search, regardless of the government in power. Cambria emphasized the lack of progress in initiating the landfill search, regardless of the political landscape.
The NDP government asserted its commitment to the search, with ongoing discussions at both federal and provincial levels. Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families, emphasized the collaborative efforts to address the issue.
Upon filing a complaint, the Human Rights Commission will evaluate its merit. CTV News Winnipeg has sought comments from the Progressive Conservatives but has not received a response.
In summary, The family of Morgan Harris, a victim of an alleged Winnipeg serial killer, filed discrimination complaints against the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba and the provincial government. The complaints, filed by Harris's daughter, accuse both entities of discrimination against Indigenous women and their families, citing campaign ads opposing a landfill search for victims' remains. The Progressive Conservatives, led by Heather Stefanson, cited safety concerns during the 2023 election. The NDP government expressed commitment to the search, while the Human Rights Commission will assess the complaints. The Progressive Conservatives have not responded to media inquiries.
