The water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation continues to grab the attention of the House of Commons.
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 the action had been taken sooner,” says Melillo.
Melillo notes the government has shown they can spend billions of dollars to address a crisis within a 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 cares, will he get it done?” says O’Toole.
Pam Damoff is the Parliamentary Secretary of Indigenous Services.
“We’re deeply concerned by the shutdown of Neskantaga’s water distribution system, says Pam Damoff is the Parliamentary Secretary of Indigenous Services, “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.”
“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,” says Damoff.