York Factory First Nation declares state of emergency

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This article was published 14/06/2022 (1302 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LACKING its main link to supplies and services, a northern Manitoba First Nation has declared a local state of emergency.

York Factory made the declaration in a letter to the provincial government, stating the band has absorbed significant expenses to maintain food and equipment stocks and social services, due to delays in the start-up of its summer ferry schedule.

The community has been without ground access since April 26, when the Split Lake winter road closed. Provincial agency Northern Airports and Marine Operations indicated major work is yet required on the body of the ferry vessel, and it will be delayed from its previous target date.

The lack of ferry service is now estimated to last until the end of July.

NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) said its time for government to step up.

“The fact that the ferry is now going to take longer to be fixed, of no fault of York Factory, isolates the community at a time where they are dependent on it,” Ashton said Tuesday. “We’re not seeing prioritization from the provincial government to get this situation resolved, and most certainly not seeing Indigenous Services (Canada) recognize the magnitude of this issue.

“(York Factory) very much relies on the winter road and the ferry, with a few weeks of isolation that they plan for — but this delay is now unplanned for.”

The First Nation (located some 850 kilometres north of Winnipeg) uses the vessel to obtain resources, materials and groceries and to link residents to transport to medical appointments.

“The ferry is a lifeline for the community, not an alternative,” Ashton said. “York Factory doesn’t have the option to hop on the road and go to Split Lake or Thompson to get what they need. Indigenous Services Canada needs to show it understands its reality by providing the resources the community needs to function.”

Earlier this month, Indigenous Services Canada committed $16,400 to cover the cost of five boat charters and one air charter per day to York Factory for a four-day span. With the updated time frame on the ferry repair, the First Nation is asking for continued funding of boats, vehicles and air charters until service is reinstated.

The requested expenses would add up to $315,000 over a potential six-week period.

Free Press questions sent to the federal government received no reply Tuesday.

bryce.hunt@freepress.mb.ca