First Nations won’t be left out as the provincial government works on a strategy to combat COVID-19.
That’s the reassurance from Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford to a question about the Coronavirus if it reaches the far north.
“It compels us to ensure that their is a strategy in place for Indigenous communities, particularly and notably for isolated and remote Indigenous communities in the wake of conferences that members have traveled back and forth to. We want to make ensure we take appropriate responses.”
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says its hard for aboriginal people to wash their hands and quarantine themselves when they often live in third world conditions.
The NDP member notes how can First Nations people self-isolate when often there could be 10 to 12 people in a home.
Mamakwa says Premier Ford must address the situation regarding Ontario’s Indigenous communities when he meets with the prime minister on Friday.
Infectious diseases can be devastating for First Nations communities. The government tells people to wash their hands, but that’s hard to do when there’s no clean running water.
Second question. pic.twitter.com/OLE1Y9le2Q
— Sol Mamakwa (@solmamakwa) March 12, 2020
