Skip to content

Stuck in hotels: Kashechewan evacuees still without return date

THUNDER BAY -- There is still no timeline on a return trip for Kashechewan evacuees living in this city after flood waters invaded their homes.
344504_635381854950986689.JPG
(tbnewswatch.com file photograph)

THUNDER BAY -- There is still no timeline on a return trip for Kashechewan evacuees living in this city after flood waters invaded their homes.

Kashechewan First Nations chief Derek Stephen says he has been in talks with Health Canada officials regarding the cleanup and restoration of the community’s nursing station. Evacuated residents are expected to stay in Thunder Bay until that nursing station is back in working order.

But the chief says residents living abroad are growing tired after being stuck in hotel rooms since early May.

“The majority of the community is still in Cornwall, Thunder Bay, Hearst, Kapuskasing and Wawa,” Stephen confirmed during an interview with CKPR Radio Thursday. “The date of return is still unknown as of yet, as we are waiting for Health Canada to give us the go-ahead.

“Once we get an agreement with Health Canada on the cleanup of the clinic, we can possibly bring in a portable nursing unit and that will be able to assist our community and people can start moving back.”

The city took in about 150 evacuees May 5 after flooding in Kashechewan made the remote, far-north community unlivable.  They’ve been stuck in hotels ever since they were arrived at the Thunder Bay International Airport.

(CKPR Radio)

 





push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks