NDP and First Nations call for urgent relief for Attawapiskat community
Timmins–James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson, NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic Sarah Campbell MPP and Charlie Angus MP today joined First Nation leaders and local representatives at Queen’s Park 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. In this community of 2000 people we have families in tents, sheds and trailers designed for contractors,” said Bisson.
“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,” he added.
Also present at today’s news conference were Stan Loutis, Grand Chief Mushkegowuk and Theresa Spence, Chief Attawapiskat who spoke about the state of emergency that has been declared and the need for support from the provincial government to help those without running water, heating and basic sanitation.
Mr. Bisson was joined by Sarah Campbell MPP, the NDP’s Critic on Aboriginal Affairs and Timmins–James Bay MP Charlie Angus, who showed video footage of the conditions that are facing the people living in Attawapiskat.
The video can be viewed on YouTube at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6abZ0LFT5CQ
NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic Sarah Campbell added,
“A state of emergency has been declared in Attawapiskat and we are all here to ask for the full resources of the provincial government to deal with the crisis. There are young children and families facing a bleak winter without the basic essentials of life and with hazardous surroundings. Now is the time for the government to exercise the powers of the Emergency Measures Act to send in teams to help those who are suffering before the situation deteriorates further.” | 
