Ontario ombudsman calls out ‘unacceptable’ living conditions in Neskantaga First Nation – CBC

Paul Dubé urges provincial, federal governments ‘to take immediate action’

Sep 23, 2025

Paul Dubé said that as soon as he landed in Neskantaga First Nation, the realities of the remote Ojibway community hit him hard.

At the airport, which the Ontario ombudsman described as a “dilapidated facility,” he was met by children with handmade signs calling for clean drinking water, a medical centre, an ambulance and a new school.

Dubé spoke with community members over two days last week about the many challenges they face daily — most notably, the longest boil-water advisory in the country at 30 years.

The ombudsman is an independent office of the Legislature that receives complaints about over 1,000 government and public-sector organizations. It aims to keep the government accountable, investigating concerns and making recommendations on improving public services.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ontario-ombudsman-visits-neskantaga-1.7640271