The ongoing contamination crisis in Attawapiskat is leaving hundreds of children at risk of losing their school year. The NDP are calling on the Province to step in and work with the community to get to the bottom of why children, teachers and community members were left sick from the teardown of a badly-contaminated school site in Attawapiskat. The failure of the Federal government to protect community members from exposures to dust, diesel fumes and other contaminants has led to a crisis in confidence in the community. Given the enormity of the problem, the Province of Ontario must step in to provide independent health and environmental support.

At a press conference at Queens Park, MPP Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay) says the Province must step in to help deal with the crisis.

“We have nearly 700 students who are in danger of losing their school year because their school grounds are contaminated with overwhelming smells of diesel contamination. These children are citizens of Ontario. If the federal government won’t or can’t secure the safety of these children, then the Province must step in.”

Bisson has just returned from Attawapiskat where the smell from diesel contamination is still overwhelming even two weeks after the demolition.

“Our community members have been exposed to contaminants. They have been sick. The schools are too unsafe to go back into. We need a team of independent medical and environmental experts to come in and work with the community to address this situation.”

MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) says the Federal government clearly botched the job of ensuring public health in Attawapiskat. He says the precedent set by “Jordan’s Principle” – where the safety of children overrides jurisdictional disputes – must be invoked.”