NDP CALLS FOR ACTION FOR WASAGAMACK AND FIRST NATIONS IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

OTTAWA – Today, NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) was joined by the Chief and Council of Wasagamack First Nation and leadership of the Island Lake First Nations to call on the government to work with Wasagamack, one of the largest most isolated communities in Canada to build an airport.

“Wasagamack, a community of over 4000 people has no road, no airport. The ice road season they rely on is shrinking due to catastrophic climate change,” said Ashton. “Leaving First Nations to suffer in enforced isolation is a choice the Liberals are making.”

Ashton also highlighted the human cost of this Liberal choice.

“This is costing peoples lives. As a result of the lack of an airport, people have to rely on inhumane conditions to get to medical care. People rely on boats and helicopters that can't always fly to get to an airport. When you’re in that situation, those costly minutes and in some cases hours can mean life or death. It's time for the Feds to act for Wasagamack.”