Millions on Bottled Water for Northern Communities

THUNDER BAY – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has spent $2.3 million shipping bottled water to Ogoki Post / Marten Fall since 2005. The water is flown by air from Thunder Bay to the community which has been under a Health Canada ‘Boil Water Advisory’ since that order was given in 2005.

There are just over 325 people living in the community of Ogoki Post / Marten Falls.

During the Toys for the North trip stop in Ogoki Post, this reporter, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police officer and an RCMP Constable in full dress red serge helped to unload bottled water from a plane that had just landed.

The issue is a real concern at Henry Coaster School where often on the community Facebook page, the school is asking if anyone has any extra bottled water.

Health Canada reports that currently there are thirty-two First Nation communities in Ontario under Boil Water Advisories.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development answering a Question on the Order Paper from Charlie Angus the Member of Parliament for Timmins James Bay responded with the figures for the bottled water.

Marten Falls has been seeking real solutions to the water problem. The Federal Government says that it has approved funding for a new water treatment plant over the next two year.

Currently the cost of shipping in bottled water is topping $40,000 per month.

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