Question Period Note: Evacuation and COVID-19 in Kashechewan

• We recognize the possibility of flooding every spring is a difficult and ongoing reality for Kashechewan.
• We are working closely with the community and partners to analyze the evolving situation, review the support and resources in place for an evacuation in the event of a flood, and ensure they have necessary information and resources to prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19.
• The Department has provided $2.12 million in emergency funding to Kashechewan First Nation to support the community decision to self-isolate at traditional hunting camps and another location on higher ground.

Background
Kashechewan First Nation has for many years advocated for relocation of the community to a site upstream on the Albany River to mitigate the threat of annual flooding during spring breakup. A consultant’s report completed in November 2018 confirmed that the community’s preferred site (known as Site 5) would support the development of a new community. An initial estimate of the cost of relocation is over $800 million. On May 9, 2019, former Minister of Indigenous Services, Seamus O’Regan, Kashechewan First Nation’s former Chief Leo Friday and Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford signed the 2019 Framework Agreement which affirmed the parties’ shared priority to move forward with the long-term objective of relocating Kashechewan First Nation to higher ground.
A project manager is overseeing planning for development of a road to Site 5 and a Road Design Consultant was engaged in January 2020. ISC is also working with Kashechewan First Nation to engage an overall project manager to plan the development of the new community. Discussions are moving forward on an Addition to Reserve for lands at Site 5. Planning studies are expected to determine the estimated total cost of relocation by March 2021, following which funding approval can be sought.
Total funding of $2,973,650 is currently available in Kashechewan First Nation to address its housing priorities. This includes new core capital funding of $515,732 in 2019-2020, an Enhanced Housing allocation of $773,598 in 2019-2020, and unexpended housing funds carried forward from 2018-2019 into 2019-202 in the amount of $1,684,320.
Kashechewan First Nation has opened a new, 24- classroom school. Students started classes in the north wing (16 classrooms) in October 2019, and in the south wing (8 classrooms) in January 2020. The Department provided funding approval in December 2018, in the amount of $14,894,938, in response to the community’s August 2018 declaration of a state of emergency in over health and safety concerns in the portable school buildings. The school is built on pilings to facilitate future relocation to Site 5.
Since 2016, Kashechewan leadership has raised concerns about environmental factors, including mould and unsanitary water, as the cause of skin rashes of children. ISC continues to work with the community to promote good skin care practices.
There has not been a major flood in Kashechewan for 5 years and ISC Ontario Region is working with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre and with the provincial ministries to monitor the situation.

If pressed on the timeframe for relocation
• On May 9th 2019, Chief Friday from Kashechewan, the previous Minister of Indigenous Services and Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs signed the 2019 Framework Agreement, confirming the relocation of Kashechewan First Nation to higher ground.
• A key step is the transfer of provincial lands to Canada to be designated as reserve lands. Federal officials are working with the First Nation and provincial officials as a priority to advance the Addition to Reserve.

If pressed on work done to advance the relocation
• Since then, we have been working with the community to undertake a Comprehensive Community Planning process, including a survey of all community residents.
• We have engaged a Project Manager and Road Design Consultant to plan the development of an access road to the new community site.
• Work is also underway on studies to plan the development of the new community and detailed cost estimates to support the approval process for funding.

If pressed on Water
• All Canadians should have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.
• The Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project was completed in November 2019.
• This has improved the safety of drinking water and the operation of fire hydrants throughout the community.
• We are working closely with the community to continue bringing clean and safe water to their homes.

If pressed on housing
• Between 2015 and 2017, Kashechewan First Nation received more than $49 million for 52 duplexes (104 housing units) to replace flood-damaged homes and reduce overcrowding in the community.
• These homes were built on raised pilings to be more flood-resilient and to facilitate moving them.
• Kashechewan First Nation has more than $2.9 million available to address their priority housing needs.
• We continue to work with the community to support a 5-year Housing Plan to address priorities while planning for relocation of the community.