Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois, Queen's Park screen shot, February 20, 2024

A Thunder Bay MPP is calling on the provincial government to support a First Nation that has declared a state of emergency.

“The Ginoogaming First Nation is in a state of emergency,” said Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP, Lise Vaugeois at Queens Park on Monday. “The bridge that serves as the main point of access into their community can no longer be used for vehicles. It has been evident since 2002 that this bridge was unsafe, and again in 2017 when Ontario did its own study and came to the same conclusion. Yet, to this day, no action has been taken.”

The First Nation’s Chief and Council declared the emergency in May.

Beyond the bridge, the community is also dealing with a rise in criminal activity, resulting in a need for a full-time police presence in the community according to their Chief.

They added that the community is also dealing with the effects of intergenerational trauma, including recent suicides, more substance abuse, and more overdoses.

The First Nation is currently policed on a part-time basis by the Anishinabek Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police and there’s hope that a full-time presence will deter criminal activity.

Premier Ford was recently in the area where he made a surprise announcement for funding at Geraldton District Hospital, but he opted not to visit the community.

“The Premier and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs were just outside Ginoogaming just last Wednesday,” said MPP Vaugeois. “Instead of reaching out to Chief Taylor and visiting the community, all they did was a photo op, despite knowing that it is in a state of emergency”

Ginoogaming First Nation is located approximately 40 km east of Geraldton, south of Long Lake 58 First Nation.