Question Period Note: Checkpoints erected by the community of Kanesatake

• The safety and security of Indigenous communities is of critical importance.

• I have been informed that the Council has erected road checkpoints to protect its community from COVID-19.

• In light of the Government of Quebec's reopening plan, I am aware that this situation raises concerns both inside and outside of the community.

• Indigenous Services Canada is working with the appropriate authorities, including the Band Council, the Government of Quebec and the Sûreté du Québec to to find a fair and safe solution to this situation.

Background
The community of Kanesatake is located on the north shore of Lake of Two Mountains, at the junction of the Ottawa River, 53 kilometers west of Montreal. The community of Kanesatake has a population of 2,626 Mohawks, of which 1,377 live on reserve.
The community has set up five checkpoints, one of which, located in the municipality of Oka on Route 344, is considered illegal by the Sûreté du Québec.
Grand Chief Simon, who said he has no intention of lifting the checkpoints until a vaccine is available, is receiving a lot of pressure from the owners of tobacco and cannabis businesses in the community as well as from the Municipality of Oka.
This is creating significant tension in the community. A formal notice has also been filed by the Municipality of Oka to force the community to remove its checkpoints.

Did ISC fund these checkpoints?
• The community of Kanesatake received funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic through the Indigenous Community Support Fund. All communities are autonomous in their management of this funding, which must be used in compliance with the laws and measures prescribed by public health authorities.

• Indigenous Services Canada is in discussions with the community regarding funding requests submitted under the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) to ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with the laws and measures prescribed by public health authorities.