Question Period Note: Attawapiskat First Nation

Suicide Crisis

Our Government understands that the health and mental wellness issues facing Attawapiskat First Nation – and First Nation communities across Canada – are serious and unacceptable.
Over the last two fiscal years, we provided over $4.9 million annually for community-based programming to support the mental wellness needs of Attawapiskat.
The Choose Life program provides services to more than 400 children and youth in the community annually.
We will continue to work with First Nations partners in collaboration with provinces and territories to advance Indigenous-led approaches to mental wellness.

On April 9, 2016, Attawapiskat First Nation declared a State of Emergency due to suicide attempts in the community. Since fall 2015, there had been as many as 100 suicide attempts in Attawapiskat, mainly involving youth (including one death by suicide). On April 18, 2016, Minister Bennett committed to work with the community to plan and design a new youth centre and implement "on the land" programming for young people in collaboration with Health Canada and other federal and provincial partners. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Attawapiskat Youth Centre was on June 21, 2019. The Department is working with the community to advance this vital project, which will provide a safe, healthy space for physical, social and cultural activities.

As an interim measure, the Province of Ontario renovated the former band office to serve as a temporary youth centre; construction was completed in summer 2018. Currently 9 people have been hired to staff the temporary youth centre. The Attawapiskat First Nation is currently hiring 3 additional staff for the permanent youth centre.

On July 7, 2019, Attawapiskat First Nation declared an emergency due to an elevated level of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in the water system. On July 12, 2019, ISC committed to support the replacement of the two reverse osmosis units, as well as assessing the community’s fire hydrants and water distribution system for needed repairs and replacement. The two reverse osmosis units were installed and became operational in November 2019. The delivery of bottled water to the community is scheduled to end on December 15, 2019.

On July 29, 2019, ISC, the First Nation and the Government of Ontario signed the “Renewed Relationship Commitment” agreement committing to: work together on an Addition to Reserve (ATR) application; to develop a Comprehensive Community Development Plan; and to plan for a new raw-water intake and water treatment plant on the lands that are subject to ATR. The Attawapiskat Joint Task Force, which recently met on November 28, 2019, coordinates efforts to address the immediate, medium and long term needs of the community.

ISC also approved funding of $1,258,013 in 2017-18 and $2,879,015 in 2018-19 under Jordan’s Principle Choose Life Initiative to provide mental wellness programming and land based initiatives to more than 1,015 children and youth in the community. Additional crisis response and mental wellness services are being provided by the Mushkegowuk Mental Wellness Team.

Youth Centre

Our Government is working in partnership with First Nation communities to ensure that they have the services they need.
Construction of an interim youth centre was completed in summer 2018 to provide a safe, healthy space for physical, social and cultural activities.
The design of the permanent Attawapiskat Youth Centre was completed in September 2019. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in August 2020.
We will continue to work with the community to advance this vital project, which will provide a safe, healthy space for physical, social and cultural activities.

If pressed on Housing

Improving First Nation housing outcomes is a priority for our Government.
This is why we provided $860,000 in 2018-2019 to purchase four transitional houses for Attawapiskat First Nation so that families have a place to live while major renovations are completed on their homes.
These new modular homes are currently in transit to the First Nation.
Further, the community has identified the need for a new sub-division, additional housing, and supporting infrastructure, and we are working with the First Nation to further define these needs.

If Pressed on Water

On September 18, 2019, our Government provided $337,800 for the two reverse osmosis units to be replaced in the community. They were installed and became operational in November 2019.
At the request of Attawapiskat First Nation, as a short term measure, we have supported the purchase and delivery of bottled water for the community’s vulnerable members.
Concerning other water infrastructure, I am pleased to report that the 2017-2018 project to install 12 new fire hydrants, replace 20 main water valves and to flush-out the distribution system is now complete.

Physician Shortage

Our Government is working with its First Nations partners to ensure access to quality health care.
We are keenly aware that the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority which serves Attawapiskat is currently experiencing a shortage of physicians.
We are supporting the Health Authority and the province as they take measures to find immediate solutions to fill these vacancies and mitigate any service disruptions.
We will continue to work with the community to address their healthcare needs.