Kashechewan First Nation, located on the northern coast of James Bay in Ontario, is preparing to evacuate its residents due to issues with its water treatment system. Chief Hosea Wesley declared a local state of emergency on Sunday as the Cree First Nation, with a population of approximately 2,300 people, faces uncertainties regarding the restoration of normal water production.
In a statement, Chief Wesley emphasized the community’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its members and securing access to clean drinking water. Technicians from Northern Waterworks have been deployed to assist in repairing the water treatment plant, although challenges persist due to the scarcity of necessary repair parts and the plant’s deteriorating condition.
The water treatment plant encountered initial problems in early December when the pumps failed, leading to the inability to treat drinking water with necessary chemicals. Subsequently, issues with the plant’s raw sewage intake emerged later in the month, compounding the challenges faced by the community.
Residents have been relying on bottled water, with a new shipment expected to arrive by air soon. In the absence of running water, residents have resorted to gathering water from the Albany River or melting snow for daily tasks such as dishwashing and toilet flushing.
Chief Wesley noted that the situation has forced residents to revert to traditional methods of water collection, reminiscent of a time when running water was scarce in the community. The lack of running water has exacerbated an ongoing influenza outbreak in the community, emphasizing the critical need for immediate solutions.
Despite receiving $1.7 million from Indigenous Services Canada for water treatment plant upgrades earlier this year, the prospect of a long-term fix remains uncertain. Plans to relocate the flood-prone community to a site 30 kilometers north have raised questions about the timing of necessary repairs, especially with the transition to a new government administration under Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The community had initially aimed to complete the relocation by 2029 under the previous administration led by Justin Trudeau. However, under the current leadership, the timeline for the relocation remains unclear, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by Kashechewan First Nation.