Question Period Note: Neskantaga First Nation

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• At the request of Neskantaga First Nation leadership, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) supported the evacuation of vulnerable community members to Thunder Bay, due to flooding in the basement and a smell of fuel reported at the community’s nursing station.
• Community members returned to Neskantaga when access to all health services, with the exception of dental, xray and telehealth, was relocated to a temporary location.
• Since 2020, ISC has invested over $155 million toward advancing Neskantaga First Nation’s priorities, including community infrastructure, and health and well-being programming in the community.

Nursing station emergency
On April 14, 2025, Neskantaga First Nation declared a state of emergency due to flooding and a strong odour of fuel in the basement of the Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre. The nursing station was closed and ISC worked with partners to immediately set-up a temporary nursing station across the street staffed with ISC nurses to provide emerging care. The temporary nursing station was then moved to a more suitable duplex and set-up to provide full health care services with the exception of dental, xray and telehealth. ISC’s Health Emergency Management coordinated partner calls to respond to the state of emergency and evacuation. Gradual repatriation back to the community began on May 18, 2025. Testing was coordinated by Matawa Tribal Council and the nursing station was deemed safe. Additional testing is being conducted at the request of the First Nation.

Water
To date, ISC has invested $31.5 million towards water and wastewater in Neskantaga First Nation, including $20.9 million for upgrades to the community’s water treatment plant and $6.5 million in operational supports, an additional $4.1 million for related wastewater system upgrades, and for full-time operational oversight of the water system and training of local operators. Construction of the water treatment system is substantially complete and the system was commissioned in December 2020; however, to be fully operational, some additional work is required. Canada is working closely with the First Nation and their consultant to complete the work at the current plant through a co-developed 12-point action plan. In February 2024, ISC committed to fund the design stage of the community’s new water treatment plant project to meet Neskantaga’s long-term infrastructure and water needs. ISC also supported the community to undertake a Water Systems Infrastructure Assessment to identify needs to ensure system suitability for long-term community growth.

Health Facilities
ISC provides funding for the operation and maintenance of First Nation-owned health facilities, including the Rachel Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre. In July 2023, $126,000 was approved for the design of a code compliant fuel storage and delivery system to replace the existing asset. In October 2023, $126,741 was approved to purchase and deliver the new bulk fuel storage tank and transfer kiosk to the community.

Choose Life and Jordan’s Principle
To date in 2025-2026, Neskantaga First Nation received $597,891 under Jordan’s Principle for education expenses. No applications were received under Choose Life.

Mental Wellness
ISC works with First Nations and partners to: discuss long-term mental wellness goals and crisis prevention; identify and assess gaps in services; connect communities to resources and programs and advocate on their behalf; and identify system level gaps and improve how the branch supports communities, partners and leadership to build capacity and partnerships.
The Matawa First Nations Management Mental Wellness Team supports Neskantaga First Nation. Opioid Agonist Therapy helps to prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings while wraparound services address underlying issues through counselling and traditional practices. Neskantaga First Nation receives funding for comprehensive opioid agonist therapy wraparound services.

If pressed on nursing station emergency
• ISC is working with the First Nation, Matawa Tribal Council and partners to ensure health services are continuously available to the community while addressing the remediation at the Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre.
• Air quality testing and occupational health and safety inspections have been completed and the nursing station has been deemed safe. Further assessments are being completed at the request of the First Nation prior to reopening.

If pressed on commitments and updates to Neskantaga’s water infrastructure and advisory
• ISC regularly monitors a twelve-point action plan with the First Nation to address treatment system deficiencies. Five points have been completed; seven action items are in progress.
• Neskantaga First Nation used the winter road to transport materials for expansion and repairs to the piped water distribution system, expected to begin in summer 2025.
• Pending completion of remaining action items, validation testing will be required for the Environmental Public Health Officer to recommend a lift of the boil water advisory to Chief and Council.

If pressed on commitments and updates made to improve housing and infrastructure
• From 2016-2017 to 2024-2025, ISC has invested over $28 million for housing in Neskantaga First Nation, including $20 million in one-time enhanced housing funding for the community to use at its discretion to support housing needs.
• ISC also funded $100,000 through Matawa Tribal Council to assist their Member First Nations with capacity needs and project management support, which included Neskantaga First Nation.

If pressed on commitments and update made to address access to health services
• The Government of Canada recognizes that accessibility of quality federally funded health services is key to achieving physical and mental wellness for Indigenous Peoples.
• ISC works with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
ISC will work closely with partners to offer various in-community programs that remove barriers and support access to a wide range of health services for First Nations.

If pressed on substance use
• The Government of Canada recognizes the increasing use of opioids and other substances as a significant issue in Ontario, particularly in First Nations communities, posing a public health crisis.
• ISC funds two youth and nine adult-focused treatment centres in Ontario which provide culturally sensitive treatment to First Nation community members.
• To respond to public health challenges presented by the ongoing opioid crisis, funding is provided to 30 First Nation communities in Ontario, including Neskantaga First Nation, to support Opioid Agonist Therapy and wraparound services.

If pressed on funding provided for substance use
• Budget 2024 provided $630.2M over two years, starting in 2024-25, for on-reserve mental wellness services. Priority areas for this funding includes Opioid Agonist Therapy Wraparound Services and Mental Wellness Teams. This renews Budget 2021 and Budget 2022 investments.
• Neskantaga First Nation receives Mental Wellness Program funding to deliver culturally meaningful mental wellness services and supports, including Opioid Agonist Therapy and comprehensive wraparound services.

If pressed on mental wellness
• The Government understands the significant inter-generational impact of colonization and residential schools has had on the mental health and substance use for many Indigenous peoples and communities.
• ISC continues to work with First Nation communities, partners, and service providers to implement a continuum of mental health, wellness and substance use treatment services.
• ISC and the Province of Ontario co-fund 19 Mental Wellness Teams in Ontario, and an additional one is funded solely by ISC for a total of 20 Teams.