THUNDER BAY – Water conditions in Attawapiskat have resulted in a Twitter storm over the weekend. Some of the angst over the safety of the drinking water started with a Tweet from Liberal MP Catherine McKenna who posted a tweet on the top quality of tap water in Ottawa.
There’s a lot to love about Ottawa — including our tap water! Did you know it’s rated among the best in the world? I’m always carrying reusable water bottles around to reduce plastic waste, so it’s good to know I can use Ottawa’s tap water when I need a refill. #10000Changes pic.twitter.com/kaQDnY2QOQ
— Catherine McKenna ???????? (@cathmckenna) July 4, 2019
Adrian Sutherland the frontman for the band Midnight Shine says, “So I hear Ottawa’s real proud of having the cleanest drinking water in the world! Meanwhile in Attawapiskat the water is contaminated.”
The message on water in Attawapiskat from people in the community is:
1. Limit showers
2. Crack a window open so residents don’t inhale the chemicals from the steam
3. Don’t bathe in hot water, as it opens pores and can expose residents to more chemicals
4. Don’t wash food.
Politicians have been Tweeting about how proud they are to have the cleanest drinking water flowing from their taps. Meanwhile, 1000 km north of Ottawa, in Attawapiskat… residents have just been warned not to drink their drinking water, bathe in it, take hot showers, or inhale steam from it.
From Attawapiskat, Midnight Shine and Chelsea Jane Edwards responded.
“How many Canadians would settle for water infected with fecal matter, sewers backing up into their bathtubs or being able to bathe only once a week due to lack of access to water…” @Pam_Palmater @IRPP https://t.co/ipPy8wD3xr #Canada #WheresMyCanada #FirstNations #FirstWater
— Midnight Shine (@midnightshineon) July 8, 2019
Look closely. Our water intake is beside the dump and lagoon, as well as airport strip and the contaminated soil from the condemned elementary school. Mind you, this is a lake. So whatever materials and chemicals have been sitting in that lake for years, is where we get our water pic.twitter.com/mN2aq9afCz
— Chelsea Jane Edwards ᒉᐪᓯ ᒉᐣ ᐁᑐᐤᐊᐟ (@chelseajaneed) July 7, 2019
Must be nice, @cathmckenna. Maybe consider visiting Attawapiskat, a northern community IN Ontario, and try filling your water bottle here using our tap water? It just causes cancer if using it long term. No biggie. You’ll only be here for a day, at most I bet. You should be fine. https://t.co/BOma9boMd5
— Chelsea Jane Edwards ᒉᐪᓯ ᒉᐣ ᐁᑐᐤᐊᐟ (@chelseajaneed) July 7, 2019
— Chelsea Jane Edwards ᒉᐪᓯ ᒉᐣ ᐁᑐᐤᐊᐟ (@chelseajaneed) July 7, 2019
