As northern Ont. community mourns death of young girl, calls grow to ensure fire protection
A GoFundMe campaign to help a family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., has surpassed $37,000 as calls for action grow to ensure the community has fire protection.
The Wabano family is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
Ten people lived in the family home. JC, the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, was killed in the fire.
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus said in the House of Commons last week that he alerted Indigenous Services Canada in February 2021 that Peawanuck, also known as Weenusk First Nation, lacked fire services.
"In 2021, I wrote to this minister warning about the lack of fire protection,” Angus said.
"That warning was ignored and now a child is dead. It is unconscionable that any community in this country is left without basic fire protection. So to the minister simple question, will she stand today and promise to commit to build a fire hall and give the in my emergency resource support for the people of Peawanuk, so they can live in safety?”
In response, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) sent CTV a statement outlining steps that have been taken in the community related to fire services.
“On Jan. 24, 2022, Indigenous Services Canada approved funding of $506,640 for a new fire truck for Weenusk First Nation,” the statement said.
“The fire truck is expected to be delivered in March 2023. As Weenusk is leading the procurement of the fire truck, with funding from Indigenous Services Canada, the community is best placed to respond to questions about the truck’s delivery status.”
ISC said it also provides $10,447 annually for the recruitment and training of volunteer firefighters, paid $25,000 for the repair of three fire hydrants in 2021-2022 and provided $18,420 to purchase personal protective equipment for the fire hall during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of the fire hall project, ISC said the community uses a fire storage facility as a fire hall.
“On behalf of the community, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) is working with ISC to obtain funding and approval to design and build a new fire hall,” the statement said.
“Since March 2022, ISC has met multiple times with the community and its representatives and has remained in consistent contact over email, to advance this project.”
On Nov. 28, 2022, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation submitted a draft project approval request for a new fire hall to ISC, which is currently being reviewed, the ISC said.
“ISC officials will continue to work with the team to finalize the project approval request and assist with identifying a funding source,” the statement said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.