How the COVID-19 outbreak in Bearskin Lake shows Canada needs to boost crisis response in First Nations – CBC

Jan 24, 2022

Indigenous leaders, military experts weigh in; Hajdu says the government is looking to fill in gaps

When a major COVID-19 outbreak overwhelmed a small, remote First Nation in northern Ontario, the federal government’s response was criticized as being slow and ineffective.

As leaders in Bearskin Lake cried for help, Ottawa sent $1.1 million and said it had deployed seven Canadian Rangers. Local leaders, however, say only three came from outside the community.

It’s an effort critics say was too little, too late.

This isn’t the first time governments in Canada have come under fire for failing to help First Nations facing emergencies.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/bearskin-lake-canada-emergency-response-1.6323390