NDP MPPs stand with Kashechewan First Nation evacuees and calls for increased investments in host communities

NIAGARA FALLS – Following recent comments from Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati about evacuees from the Kashechewan First Nation, Ontario NDP Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong), MPP Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk – James Bay) and MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) have released the following statement calling for increased investments for host communities to support evacuees:

“These remarks are deeply harmful, and I stand with Kashechewan First Nation evacuees and Chief Hosea Wesley in their call for productive conversations around how we can support the evacuees, not unfairly assign blame,” said Mamakwa.

“We need to have serious conversations about how we can support the evacuees, invest in services, and implement the 2019 Framework Agreement between the governments of Ontario and Canada to resolve the flooding and water quality issues. It is incredibly disappointing to see local elected officials using evacuees as a scapegoat instead of working towards real solutions. The reason why 1,000 people are currently displaced, not homeless, but displaced, is because of this government’s failure to deliver on their commitments to the people of Kashechewan First Nation.”

“Our community in Kapuskasing is also hosting evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation, and we know firsthand that the real issue is the lack of investments,” added MPP Bourgouin. “Chronic under investment in First Nations infrastructure has led to repeated evacuations, while inadequate support worsened the already devastating impacts on both evacuees and municipalities. Doug Ford’s underinvestment, leaves host communities and evacuees to bear the costs, and that’s when frustration turns to finger-pointing.”

“Entire communities are being forced from their homes, not by choice, but because the water isn't safe,” said MPP Gates. “The failure to build safe water infrastructure in Kashechewan First Nation sits with the governments of Ontario and Canada and should never happen in one of the richest provinces in the country. We need to have one conversation - how can we ensure no other First Nation community is displaced and forced from their homes due to failing critical infrastructure."