Ontario First Nation seeks emergency relief in Federal Court over water crisis
Global News
Pikangikum First Nation submitted a motion asking the court to compel the government to provide the emergency funds to deliver adequate water and sanitation to the community.
A First Nation in northwestern Ontario is seeking $200 million in emergency relief from the federal government to address the “critical” state of its water and sewage system as part of legal action launched in Federal Court, lawyers for the community said Friday.
Pikangikum First Nation submitted a motion Thursday asking the court to compel the government to provide the emergency funds to deliver adequate water and sanitation services to the community of more than 4,000 people.
The First Nation has declared a state of emergency and filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that Canada has failed to fix the water issue and has caused irreparable harm to the community.
A statement of claim initially filed last year says the First Nation has suffered from deficient water and sewage infrastructure for decades, and most households have no running water.
The First Nation alleges that Canada has failed to provide potable water, sewage disposal and fire prevention infrastructure to the community, and it’s asking the court to order the government to immediately construct and repair its water systems.
It claims community members have contracted skin diseases and parasites due to lack of access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, and some have been injured or have died while travelling long distances to access water and outdoor toilet facilities.
The community is also “ill-equipped” to respond to fires with limited water pressure and too few fire hydrants, the statement of claim says.
“The conditions in Pikangikum would shock Canadians who have never visited the reserve,” the statement says. “These conditions constitute nothing less than a national embarrassment and demand an immediate and full remedy.”
Trump said the U.S. will decertify Bombardier Global Express business jets 'and all aircraft made in Canada' until Canada certifies Gulfstream's series of business jets.
Tom Himmelman was walking with his four-year-old son and dog. He's now speaking out and hoping to advance training in the municipality for drivers in order to create safer roads.
After multiple surgeries and an outpouring of community support, Darren Stevenson is finally on the mend. But he has had a challenging year learning to walk and eat again.
Canada posted a merchandise trade deficit of $2.2 billion for November as exports of gold as well as motor vehicles and parts fell in the month, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Millions of paper cheques from the government valued at more than $2 billion dollars since 2022 that have been sent out to Canadians -- and have not been cashed.
Chief Ross Perley says the community is hurting and feeling anxious following Bronson Paul's death.
The online attacks are designed by cyber criminals to lock private data from Canadian businesses and individuals until payment demands are met.
The company said the incident is currently under investigation and information is limited, but it confirms that local authorities have been notified.
A crowd of Ubisoft workers and supporters held a rally, urging the video game developer to reopen the studio that was closed earlier this month after a successful union drive.
American Olympian Katie Uhlaender was hoping to be the first woman to compete in the Winter Games six times for the U.S., but fell just short of qualifying.
The U.S. currently has multiple rounds of tariffs on key sectors of the Canadian economy, including steel, aluminum, autos and lumber.
Cree Nation of Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano is urging members of the community to stay in their homes and lock their doors as police investigate.
Exceptions under the trade deal, known as USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada, protect Canada from the heaviest impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.