{
  "id": 14806953,
  "title": "Minister disputes chief’s claim money offered to remove highway checkpoint",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/minister-disputes-chiefs-claim-money-offered-to-remove-highway",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T22:12:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/10/15/minister-disputes-chiefs-claim-money-offered-to-remove-highway-checkpoint"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Provincial cabinet minister Ian Bushie has denied offering up to $250,000 in economic development to Bloodvein River First Nation’s chief, Lisa Young, in exchange for removing a highway checkpoint that has angered hunters. The chief suggested that Bushie had raised the possibility of such a payment during a private conversation in September, but Bushie insisted that no such agreement was made.\n\nBushie and Young discussed the possibility of Bloodvein First Nation applying for an economic development program, but Bushie clarified that there was no suggestion the money would be more accessible if the checkpoint were removed. He emphasized that there was no intention or offer of a quid-pro-quo, stating, \"Absolutely not,\" when asked about the claim that money would be easier to obtain if the blockade were lifted.\n\nThe checkpoint was established in May 2025 to prevent drugs and alcohol from entering the reserve, which is located about 235 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg. It was later moved to a public highway after contraband was discovered being brought in by water. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation called for the checkpoint to be returned to reserve land, arguing that licensed hunters should not be prevented from accessing Crown land. The federation sought a court injunction, but it was dismissed on procedural grounds, leaving the checkpoint in place.\n\nThe issue resurfaced when hunters were denied access at the start of moose hunting season on September 21. The province issued a cease-and-desist letter two days earlier, demanding the checkpoint's relocation. Government ministers have maintained that the checkpoint must be moved to reserve land.",
  "summary": "A provincial cabinet minister says he did not offer up to $250,000 for economic development to Bloodvein River First Nation’s chief in return for the removal of a highway checkstop […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}