Frustrations are rising in a remote First Nation in northern Ontario as preparations are being made to relocate residents from the fly-in community due to water supply issues. Kashechewan First Nation Chief Hosea Wesley declared a local state of emergency after the water treatment plant was found to be in disrepair.
The Cree community, home to approximately 2,300 individuals along James Bay Coast, is struggling to obtain an adequate supply of bottled water. The situation worsened in early December when the water treatment plant’s pumps malfunctioned, leading to the inability to treat drinking water. Subsequently, the wastewater treatment plant began experiencing issues with raw sewage intake.
During discussions with Indigenous Services Canada, community leaders requested military assistance for a full-scale evacuation to northeastern Ontario cities like Timmins and Kapuskasing. By Thursday morning, chartered flights to Timmins and Kapuskasing had been arranged, with plans underway to evacuate 500 vulnerable individuals under the management of the Loomex Group, a provincial vendor.
Kashechewan First Nation’s executive director, Tyson Wesley, highlighted the urgent nature of the situation, emphasizing the need for swift and effective responses to the community’s plight. Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau confirmed the city’s readiness to accommodate evacuees, particularly those with medical requirements.
Efforts to address the crisis include immediate repairs to the water treatment plant by workers from Northern Waterworks. The aim is to resolve the issues affecting water supply in the community. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Kashechewan, which experiences annual evacuations due to flood risks associated with its location along the Albany River.
Plans for the relocation of the First Nation have been discussed with the federal government for years, with previous commitments to move the community to a safer area in the north. However, uncertainties loom over the timeline for this relocation under the current government. Indigenous Services Canada has allocated funding for detailed planning studies towards the community’s relocation.
Wesley emphasized the importance of addressing the long-term needs of the community before investing in new infrastructure like a water treatment plant. The current situation highlights the pressing need for immediate action to safeguard the well-being of Kashechewan residents.