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Kashechewan Evacuation Drags as Water and Sewage Failures Trigger Emergency Response

Local leaders seek military help to speed evacuations.

Overview

  • More than 700 residents have been flown out so far, with officials aiming to relocate roughly 2,300 people from the fly-in community.
  • Kingston is hosting about 200 evacuees, with earlier flights moving people through Timmins and Kapuskasing and a larger shift planned to Niagara Falls where hotel space is available.
  • Replacement pumps have been installed at the water treatment plant, and Indigenous Services Canada says repairs and water testing are underway.
  • A sewage backup forced the only clinic to relocate to a school where it runs at about 40% capacity, complicating investigation of a gastrointestinal outbreak.
  • Chief Hosea Wesley says the response from federal and provincial governments is too slow and that the Canadian Armed Forces have not committed to assist with flights or bottled water.