Statement by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt Regarding the Federal Government’s Efforts to Support First Nation Communities Affected by Spring Flooding

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO (May 7, 2013) – The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement today on the Government of Canada’s support for First Nations faced with spring flooding:

“First Nation communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are faced with flooding, or an elevated risk of flooding, this spring. To help protect the health, safety and property of community members our government continues to work closely with provincial emergency management bodies and First Nations.

Today, at my request, Parliamentary Secretary Greg Rickford is meeting in Kapuskasing with evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation in Northern Ontario. This community has been particularly affected by flooding and Mr. Rickford is there to ensure that their immediate health and safety needs are being met. I have also asked that he meet with Kapuskasing’s Mayor, Mr. Alan Spacek, to thank him for his efforts to help the First Nation community members affected by the flooding and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to help those in need at this time.

This week, I reached out to the leadership in each of the three Northern Ontario First Nations most seriously affected by flooding – Kasechewan, Fort Albany, and Attawapiskat – to reiterate our government’s commitment to working with them in response to this season’s flooding.

Over the past few months my department has provided expert advice, emergency preparations support, training and funding directly to First Nations at risk in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario to support flood preparedness measures.

In addition, the department has made important investments in permanent flood mitigation measures in a number of communities.

I continue to monitor the situation closely in each affected region and our government will continue to work with other levels of government and our First Nation partners to respond to these emergencies and, eventually, on the recovery effort once the immediate danger is over.”

For more information on AANDC’s role in First Nations emergency management, and recent investments in flood preparedness, please see AANDC Emergency Management.

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