The provincial and federal governments have reached a relocation implementation plan with Kashechewan First Nation to eventually move the flood-threatened James Bay area community to higher ground.
The framework, which was formally signed on Thursday by federal Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O'Regan, Ontario Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford and Kashechewan Chief Leo Friday, sets out a community planning and development process that includes necessary steps for relocation.
Evacuations are an annual occurrence for the Northern Ontario community during the spring ice break-up along the Albany River. Last month, a precautionary evacuation resulted in community members flown out to Thunder Bay, Timmins, Kapuskasing and Cochrane.
In a news release, O'Regan said the relocation would be a multi-year process and funding has been identified for interim steps including dyke repairs and improved drainage.
"I hope that the people of Kashechewan — who have been evacuated for several weeks now as a precautionary measure — will soon be able to return home safely, knowing that we hear them and are acting," O'Regan said in a written statement.
A previous agreement had been signed by senior levels of government, along with the community and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, in 2017 to develop short, medium and long-term plans looking at improvements in housing, infrastructure development, school and community facilities and health programs and facilities, along with the possibility of relocating the community.
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald expressed gratitude the agreement was reached in a week and includes a concrete work plan, something she said was missing from the previous framework.
"I’m relieved there is now a plan in a place to alleviate this ongoing situation, as this has been a long time coming.” Archibald said. “This shows that when we are committed to working cooperatively, we can deal with the challenges faced by the community in a timely and efficient manner and ultimately, we are able deliver long term, tangible results.”
Rickford, in a provincially-issued written statement, said the federal government has ultimate responsibility for the relocation but Ontario is "committed to fast tracking the provincial actions necessary to support relocation."
"Kashechewan faces a number of challenges that affect the well-being and safety of community members, including repeated, costly, evacuations in response to annual flooding and infrastructure issues. Ontario supports the efforts of the community and the federal government to secure a new location for the community where families can build their futures together and practice their traditions," Rickford said.
