THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay has begun preparations to host up to 400 flood evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation on the James Bay coast.
“Thunder Bay will welcome our neighbours from the north in their time of crisis,” Mayor Bill Mauro said in a release issued on Friday morning.
“I have had it confirmed by our emergency services providers that we have sufficient resources to address needs that may arise during the evacuation.”
The Kashechewan First Nation residents are expected to begin arriving in the city on Friday afternoon and work is under way to ensure the resources required are in place.
“We have a long history of contributing as a host community, supported by full funding from the federal government,” Mauro said.
In addition to city resources, the Canadian Red Cross, the Department of Indigenous Services Canada, Ontario Health North and the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario are involved in the effort.
A full cost-recovery agreement is in place between Indigenous and Northern Affairs and the City of Thunder Bay.
