Ford must act now to help Neskantaga with COVID state of emergency: NDP

SIOUX LOOKOUT – The Ford government has allowed the virus to spread in Thunder Bay and must now act to stop an outbreak affecting Neskantaga First Nation that declared a state of emergency to deal with an infection rate of 6 per cent of off-reserve members, said NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong).

“The COVID outbreak in Thunder Bay is threatening the people of Neskantaga and the region. The Ford government needs to send resources now to stop any further spread into Neskantaga, and among community members in Thunder Bay.

The Ford government must support the local health unit in Kiiwetinoong and the work of the health unit in Thunder Bay that is trying to contain the virus among the homeless population. Many residents have been forced off-reserve into Thunder Bay because of a lack of housing.

Neskantaga does not have the resources needed to help its members with this outbreak in the city of Thunder Bay, and need the urgent help of the province now.

The government must also speed up its vaccine rollout to ensure Thunder Bay shelter residents and staff are prioritized and vaccinated.

There is no more time for delays.”

NT5