Question Period Note: Cat Lake

In February, the Minister met with community leadership and regional partners to sign an Interim Framework Agreement which advanced work on priorities such as new and renovated housing.
On March 14, 2019, he signed the final Memorandum of Agreement which provided an investment of up to $12.8 million for housing repairs, renovations and construction.
48 trucks arrived in the community in early April carrying building materials and supplies for repairs and renovations, including 10 modular homes. Work is well underway.
There is much work ahead that we will continue in partnership with Chief and Council.

On January 16, 2019, Cat Lake First Nation leadership declared a state of emergency over what they call "profoundly poor conditions of housing," that they say has led to "needless illnesses and related deaths."

On February 21, 2019, Minister O’Regan met with the community in Thunder Bay where they signed an Interim Framework Agreement to outline the way forward.

On March 14, 2019, Minister O’Regan and Chief Keewaykapow signed the final Memorandum of Agreement, which builds on and finalizes the commitments made in the Interim Framework Agreement signed on February 21, 2019, and provides updated funding numbers based on actual costs, including orders for materials that are already underway.

The final Memorandum of Agreement represents an investment of up to $12.8 million, including:
• $5 million to support the construction of 15 new housing units;
• $2.1 million to support repairs and renovations of 21 existing housing units;
• $3.1 million in support of 10 new modular housing units;
• $200,000 for the community’s new temporary warehouse structure;
• approximately $2.4 million in support of other associated costs; including site surveying, servicing and inspections; costs associated with transporting materials on the winter road; and hiring a Professional Project Manager, Financial Manager, and Maintenance Manager - Housing.

All of the modular homes and materials to support their installation, as well as materials to construct the 15 new houses have arrived in the community. Materials to construct the community's new temporary storage structure have also arrived.

These materials will allow for significant work to be completed over the coming months; including the installation and servicing of modular homes, servicing of the duplexes and the seven CMHC-funded units, and the initiation of construction of all 15 new housing units.

The Project Team is taking an inventory of the materials that have arrived and are prioritizing the work and finalizing plans for the shipment of remaining materials.

To address health concerns of Cat Lake residents, Indigenous Services Canada actioned an independent medical assessment involving two medical specialists, a pediatric respirologist and an infectious disease doctor, who together brought experience and expertise to this context.

Indigenous Services Canada and Cat Lake First Nation received the medical assessment on March 8, 2019. Departmental officials are working with Cat Lake First Nation to determine next steps and required actions. Indigenous Services Canada remains committed to responding to the health and wellbeing needs of its residents.

The final Memorandum of Agreement provided for a Maintenance Manager – Housing to ensure the community receives timely and comprehensive assistance.

If pressed on Jordan’s Principle

The health and well-being of Cat Lake First Nation remains our first priority. ‎‎
At this time, there are no new Jordan’s Principle applications have been identified.
We are working with the community to adapt future requests for services and supports to complement the health, housing and other supports already in the community and committed as part of the Interim Framework agreement.

If pressed on status of deliveries and progress on housing issues

48 trucks arrived in the community in early April carrying 10 modular homes, as well as building materials and supplies for repairs and renovations to new and existing homes.
Work is underway, and plans are being finalized for the shipment of the remaining materials needed for later stages of the project.

If pressed on health needs of children and individuals

The health and well-being of Cat Lake First Nation remains our first priority. ‎‎
Earlier this year, we coordinated an independent medical assessment of children and adults with health concerns, as per the community’s request.
We are ensuring that members receive the medical care and health services they require, including through additional nursing staff.
We will continue to make progress together in partnership with the community.

If pressed on Consultant Receiving Funds

First Nations are responsible for the procurement and management of services for community infrastructure projects funded by Indigenous Services Canada.
The Memorandum of Agreement signed on March 14, 2019, provided for funding to go through Windigo First Nations Council on behalf of Cat Lake First Nation.
There is nothing in the Memorandum of Agreement that would allow for Mr. Paulin to receive compensation, and the Department is reviewing the financial activities related to the funding of Cat Lake First Nation.

If pressed further on consultant

We’re making progress on the commitments we made – 48 truckloads of materials, including 10 modular homes have already been delivered.
Housing dollars and investments to support the community should go towards supporting the community’s needs.
We will continue to work directly with community leadership to address their needs.

Process for misuse of funds

We fully expect funding to be used for its intended purpose— to support the needs of families and community members in Cat Lake First Nation.
We take allegations regarding the misuse of public funds very seriously.
To that end, the Department has put a process in place to ensure that appropriate action is taken. Should the Department find indications of criminal wrongdoing, the information is turned over to the appropriate policing authority.