In May of 2014 spring melt flooding on the Albany River drove 450 Kashechewan First Nation residents living in Northern Ontario, Canada out of their homes and into temporary quarters in Kapuskasing, according to what cbc.ca tells MHProNews, at a cost to the government of $350,000 monthly.
Earlier this spring, 1,068 people had to be evacuated for ten days, and while the cost of that is not known, the bill for evacuating 1,230 people in 2015 for 27 days was $9.4 million.
Now, dozens of modular duplexes are arriving at Kashechewan First Nation to house those displaced. The federal government is providing 52 duplexes, 104 modular housing units total, according to Northern Affairs minister Carolyn Bennett, and Chief Leo Friday.
However, this has become a “rite of Spring,” prompting the First Nation peoples to once again suggest the federal government move the entire community to higher ground up river. After major flooding ten years ago, that possibility was discussed, but the government said it would be too expensive. ##
(Photo credit: cbc.ca/Canadian government–modular home sites being prepared for Kashedhewan First Nation people)
Article submitted by Matthew J Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.