Kashechewan First Nation Chief Hosea Wesley has retracted his earlier demand for Indigenous Services Canada Minister Mandy Gull-Masty to step down. The Cree community, situated near the James Bay coast in northern Ontario, has been under a state of emergency since January 4 due to water treatment plant issues causing a tap water ban.
Wesley had initially called for Gull-Masty’s resignation on March 5, citing her lack of presence in the community since the emergency declaration and failure to meet with the 2,000 displaced residents. However, a town hall meeting held by Gull-Masty in Niagara Falls on Saturday, where many Kashechewan evacuees are currently housed, led Wesley to change his stance.
Expressing frustration, Wesley criticized the response of Indigenous Services Canada to the crisis. The community has been urging the federal government to assist in relocating them from the flood-prone area, where annual flooding necessitates evacuations to other Ontario towns like Timmins and Kapuskasing.
During the town hall, evacuees voiced their grievances, highlighting the emotional toll of displacement on mental health and children. Calls were made to expedite relocation plans and improve government support for the community.
Gull-Masty acknowledged the evacuees’ frustrations, emphasizing the challenges of being away from home for an extended period. She explained that her planned visit to Kashechewan in January was canceled due to a community member’s passing. A subsequent meeting with Wesley and Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Leo Friday on March 14 was described as constructive.
The minister pledged ongoing collaboration with the community on long-term relocation strategies and mentioned the need for a task force to accelerate the process. Repairing the water treatment plant is expected to take at least eight weeks, prompting efforts to secure extended accommodations for evacuees in the interim.