THUNDER BAY – Leaders Ledger – The flooding in Thunder Bay has caused widespread difficulties and disruption in Thunder Bay, Oliver-Paipoonge, Conmee and other areas of the Northwest Region. I want to express my deep appreciation to the many organizations and individuals who have pulled together and are working tirelessly to help those in need and find solutions to the challenges we are facing.
Our government is working closely with all partners including municipalities and other organizations to ensure the safety of Ontarians. An Emergency Management Ontario field officer has been deployed to Thunder Bay and continues to work with local officials to help facilitate a co-ordinated response to the flood situation.
Our Ministry of Natural Resources team has been working particularly close with Ontario Power Generation, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ministry of Transportation and members of the Kam Volunteer Fire Department to inform all residents about steps being taken to deal with the high water levels in the Kaministiquia watershed. We continue to keep all media outlets informed of any road closures and important updates and are providing the communities with maps outlining road closures and washouts within the communities and out in the bush.
Warnings have been issued for possible road washouts within Nipigon District and our Atikokan office has closed the Sapawe-Upsala Road at Km 13 due to flooding. Road washouts are occurring on some resource access roads.
The Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the city are providing assistance and have established a relief shelter for those who need a place to stay.
I would like to share that MNR’s Thunder Bay district office, located in the basement of 435 S. James Street, has suffered water damage and is closed until further notice. We have established temporary reception lines – 807-475-1472 and 807-475-1471 – to receive calls.
I’m proud that the dedicated effort of so many is making a real difference at a difficult time. My ministry will continue to work closely with our partners in the days ahead. I am committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected communities in the Northwest. We are an extremely resilient community and I know that we will emerge from this situation as a stronger and more unified community.
Michael Gravelle
Minister of Natural Resources