With the remote northern community of Attawapiskat under a State of Emergency due to contaminated water, the federal government insists it is taking action.
Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Regan explains there is already $1.5-million set aside for water system improvements and the equipment is on-site and ready to install
O’Regan says “We have two community members who are already trained on how to conduct a comprehensive community plan, so we can begin that work immediately, so both a short and long-term start now.”
He says health care professionals will be on site this week and technical staff should arrive in the First Nation today. (Tuesday)
O’Regan stresses the commitment to improve the water supply has always been a top priority.
Today, @gcfiddler and I travelled to Attawapiskat at the invitation of Chief Gull and Council. We sat down with the community. We listened. And we came up with a plan to fix the water:
1/5— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) July 22, 2019
In the short term:
This week, we will bring in extra medical teams to evaluate any children or adults with health concerns.
This week, we will bring in water technicians to work on the plant, and fix the reverse osmosis units to make sure they are running well.
2/5— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) July 22, 2019
We will flush out the water system completely to get those THM levels under control.
That will happen now.
We are also going to make sure that the water operators in the community have the best training.
3/5— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) July 22, 2019
In the long term:
While we take these actions now, we will also begin planning for the community’s future, including a new water treatment centre.
4/5— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) July 22, 2019
It’s not one or the other. I committed to both. I committed to action now, and lasting action for the people of Attawapiskat.
And I told the community — the only way this will work is if we work together.
5/5
— Seamus O'Regan (@SeamusORegan) July 22, 2019
