NDP calls on Ford to act after 10 COVID cases reported in northern First Nations

QUEEN’S PARK – The Ontario NDP, including MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong), Official Opposition critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk-James Bay) are calling on Doug Ford to take action after 10 cases of COVID-19 were reported in northern First Nations, and one in Red Lake.

During question period on Monday, Bourgouin asked the Ford government to take immediate action. “As Ontario enters a second wave, this series of cases in northern First Nations is beyond alarming,” said Bourgouin.

“With a housing crisis, chronic problems accessing clean drinking water and enduring illnesses affecting Far North First Nations, this government should have acted when this pandemic started. Now there is no more time to lose, this government must move now.”

Mamakwa said that Doug Ford has been ignoring First Nations and their calls for support to contain COVID-19. “Premier Doug Ford should have been there, working with First Nations during this crisis. He should have been providing extra support and coordination to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in First Nations. We have asked for his help, but months of asking fell on deaf ears. Doug Ford’s lack of second-wave planning has left our communities vulnerable and in a critical situation,” said Mamakwa.

“I want to commend the local health authorities, health centres, public health units, and communities in their efforts to contain the virus throughout this crisis. But I also want to call out Doug Ford’s absence.”

As of Sept. 20, six positive cases were confirmed in Kasabonika Lake, one in Sandy Lake, one in Pikangikum, two in Moose Factory, and one in the Red Lake and Dryden region.

New Democrats are renewing their call for the Chief Medical Officer of the province to meet with local health authorities to coordinate a response. Mamakwa and Bourgouin said the province cannot afford to stand by any longer and allow this virus to spread. New Democrats have been calling on Doug Ford to provide the added resources Far North communities and schools need to contain the virus, such as support for contact tracing and on-site, accessible and timely testing.

“Now there is no more time to wait. Ford must take action immediately before we enter the winter season when students and staff will be inside crowded schools, and people and families head inside to over-crowded housing where physical distancing is not possible,” said Mamakwa.

“We have called on Ford to support First Nations schools to keep students and staff safe. We have called on him to prevent the virus from spreading in the North and in communities that do not have the resources needed to contain the virus on their own.

“Ford must call on the Chief Medical Officer to work together with First Nations to prevent the outbreak of tragedy in our communities, before it’s too late.”