The water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation continues to grab the attention of Members of Parliament in Ottawa.
The Federal Conservatives are calling for immediate action.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says people have been forced to flee their homes, this after living with boil water advisories for 25 years.
“This is by all accounts a public health emergency and one that could have been prevented if action had been taken sooner.”
Melillo notes the government has shown that they can spend billions of dollars to address a crisis within a very short timeframe.
He’s also challenging the Liberals to eliminate all long-term drinking water advisories on-reserve.
“Indigenous communities have been forgotten for far too long, and I will not stop fighting until every Indigenous community has clean and safe drinking water.”
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is also criticizing the inaction, stating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently walked back a promise to end all boil water advisories on Indigenous reserves.
“How many more walk-backs will there be from this Prime Minister? To show that he care, will he get it done?”
Pam Damoff is the Parliamentary Secretary of Indigenous Services.
“We’re deeply concerned by the shutdown of Neskantaga’s water distribution system and we’re actively working with community leadership to find immediate and long-term solutions to this health emergency. We’re funding the repairs needed and the temporary evacuation of community members.”
Damoff adds “Working with the Ontario government to ensure seamless access to health services and that appropriate public health precautions are taken to safeguard evacuees. We will not rest until Neskantaga has access to clean and reliable drinking water.”
