Leaders bring housing crisis to Queen’s Park

The fight to address the housing crisis in Attawapiskat was taken to Queen’s Park on Nov. 18.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Stan Louttit and other community representatives addressed media and spoke about the about the state of emergency that has been declared in Attawapiskat as five families are expected to endure another winter living in tents or make-shift sheds.
They told media about the need for support from the provincial government to help those without running water, heating and basic sanitation.
MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP, Timmins-James Bay) and MP Charlie Angus (NDP, Timmins-James Bay) joined the First Nations leaders to highlight the need for urgent action from the provincial government to address the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Attawapiskat.
“The situation we are facing in Attawapiskat this winter is dire and we need a emergency response immediately,” Bisson said in a press release. “There is an imminent health and safety risk for the children and adults living in these appalling conditions, and the provincial government needs to step in with the help and expertise required.”
Angus showed video footage of the conditions that are facing the people living in Attawapiskat.
The federal government has stepped in with $500,000 to improve housing but community leaders say it is inadequate.