APTN National News
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Stephen Harper said his government was “not very happy” with the situation in Attawapiskat, the Ontario First Nations community in the grip of a severe housing crisis.
Harper said during question period Tuesday that government officials were looking into the situation in Attawapiskat and that his government would be “taking action,” but it was not clear what that could be.
“Obviously we are not very happy that the results do not seem to have been achieved for that,” said Harper. “We are concerned about that. We have officials looking into it and taking action.”
Harper said the community has received 90 million dollars since 2006.
He said that works out to be about 50 thousand dollars per person in the 2-thousand member community.
The housing crisis in Attawapiskat, where several families are living in tents and many others live in shacks with no running water, has garnered international attention and even prompted the Canadian Red Cross to intervene.
Liberal leader Bob Rae accused Harper of blaming Attawapiskat for its own troubles.
“That response is a disgraceful response from the government of Canada,” said Rae. “When will the government start taking responsibility for this deplorable situation, which is an embarrassment to the reputation of the entire country?”
Rae said the $90 million total included also included funding for education, not just housing.
The money Attawapiskat receives also includes funding for the services the band delivers to its residents.
The money was also used by the community to evacuate 100 residents two years ago after a sewage back-up made their homes uninhabitable.
Attawapiskat has received an outpouring of support from Canadians across the country. NDP MP Charlie Angus, whose riding of Timmins-James Bay includes the community, has been a vocal advocate from the community.
The community was visited by Angus and NDP interim leader Nycole Turmel on Tuesday.
And late this afternoon, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Harper will be meeting with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo.
APTN National News correspondent Ossie Michelin is in the community and will have his first story Wednesday night.
$50,000 each total since 2006? Bravo Stephen Harper. I can’t imagine if my family had to live with that if we were already struggling with poverty and isolation of northern habitation in Canada in the year 2011. What are you going to do to help these people?