Conservatives response to First Nations water problems 'a cr

[Oscar]

Conservatives response to First Nations water problems 'a crime', Howard Hampton says

[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-b ... -1.3207811 ]

NDP, Liberals say Grassy Narrows state of emergency highlights Conservative neglect

By Jody Porter, CBC News Posted: Aug 28, 2015 5:06 PM ET| Last Updated: Aug 28, 2015 5:06 PM ET

The state of emergency over water quality concerns at Grassy Narrows First Nation is a "shameful" situation created by Conservative neglect, according to the NDP.

The First Nation, located about 100 kilometres north of Kenora, Ont., declared the emergency this week over potentially cancer-causing chemicals found in its local tap water.

The water treatment plant in Grassy Narrows First Nation is missing basic parts and has not functioned properly since it was built about a decade ago, according to Deputy Chief Randy Fobister.

"It's a crime that the Department of Aboriginal Affairs Canada sent back almost a billion dollars of funding that could have been used to address these safe, clean drinking water problems," said Howard Hampton, the NDP candidate in the Kenora riding. "But the Harper Conservatives decided it's not a priority."

MORE:

[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-b ... -1.3207811 ]

- - - -

Related Stories

■Grassy Narrows First Nation declares emergency over bad water
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-b ... -1.3204974 ]

■Canada election 2015: Who's running in Thunder Bay and Kenora
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-b ... -1.3177724 ]

■Northwestern Ontario ridings will be hotspots in federal election: analyst
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-b ... -1.3185295 ]