QUESTION PERIOD — Indigenous Services
Infrastructure
April 10, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Last summer, the northern Alberta community of Fox Lake on the Little Red River Cree Nation was devastated by a wildfire that left more than a thousand people displaced and homeless. The First Nations’ plans to bring in rebuilding supplies over ice bridges this winter were thwarted first by warm weather and then by warm water when a BC Hydro dam repeatedly released warm water and flooded out the ice bridges.
Now the First Nation and the community are imploring the federal government to work with the province to fund and build a permanent bridge. Can you tell us if and when the government will step up to get that bridge built?
Thank you. I’m not in a position to respond to the specifics about the bridge. However, I can tell you that the government understands very well how shortening winters and climate change have had a devastating impact on many communities, especially in remote communities and First Nations communities, among others. The government will do what it can to ensure that the delivery of essential supplies is continued and uninterrupted to those communities who are impacted — as this is — by the inability to be properly connected to other communities and receive their supplies.
My understanding is that Indigenous Services Canada meets regularly with such communities to discuss both immediate and longer-term options, and has, indeed, invited provincial governments to participate in this as well.
Fox Lake is also dependent on two barges to bring in food, fuel, supplies and workers across the river this summer. Just recently, Transport Canada has banned all federal employees, including members of the RCMP, from riding on the barges until the reserve gets them federally certified — which is a difficult and expensive process, given the access problems that I outlined.
Can you please tell me what steps the government may take to help the First Nation meet those conditions?
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Senator Simons. I don’t have the answer to that, but I’ll certainly raise it with the minister at the earliest convenience.
