$242M taxpayer dollars later, First Nation still faces water crisis
Despite hundreds of millions in federal taxpayer dollars poured into the community over nearly two decades, Kashechewan First Nation is once again in crisis, suffering a severe water shortage.
Despite hundreds of millions in federal taxpayer dollars poured into the community over nearly two decades, Kashechewan First Nation is once again in crisis, suffering a severe water shortage that has forced an evacuation.
Kashechewan First Nation, a fly-in Cree community of about 2,300 people on James Bay in remote northern Ontario, is under a “do not consume” short-term water advisory. As of Tuesday, nearly 700 of the 2,200 residents had been relocated to Timmins, Kapuskasing, Kingston, and Niagara Falls, with more departures expected.
The First Nation declared a state of emergency nearly two weeks ago after its water treatment plant failed, leading to contaminated supplies and sewage backups.
Flooding has also forced the relocation of the community’s only health clinic into an elementary school, disrupting access to medical services.
An advocacy organization that supports permanently relocating residents says the community has been evacuated every year since 2012, noting that multiple homes have been demolished due to recurring flooding. The group says the federal government has been promising a full relocation for more than 15 years.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) says it is actively supporting the latest evacuation, with priority evacuees being sent to Timmins and Kapuskasing while plans for relocating remaining residents continue to be developed.
The current emergency comes despite significant federal investment.
Between 2006 and 2024, the federal government spent an estimated $242 million, adjusted for inflation, on water and wastewater systems, roads, sidewalks, lighting, and flood control measures in Kashechewan.
That figure is in addition to more than $50 million in annual funding, primarily from ISC, for operations, emergency responses, and relocation planning.
Housing investments have also continued. ISC says more than $4.6 million was made available to Kashechewan First Nation in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal years to address housing needs at the community’s discretion, including funding for a new 20-unit housing project.