Timmins Mayor George Pirie says that by the end of the day, his city will be the temporary home of two planeloads of residents of Kashechewan.
They’re being evacuated from their homes on the James Bay coast due to a serious threat of flooding. Their band council declared an emergency over the weekend.
The mayor says four-hundred of them will be in Timmins by Wednesday, with another three-hundred expected next week.
Timmins Mayor George Pirie. Photo credit: Bob McIntyre, Moose FM
He calls on the federal government to move on a permanent solution to the annual problem… because these people would rather stay home.
- Advertisement -
“They are not happy about it,” the mayor says. “Their leadership is not happy about it. They need assistance and as neighbours down the watershed, we want to help.
“Hopefully, (the federal government will) come to their realization sooner rather than later that a permanent solution is needed for these people.”
Pirie calls indigenous communities and agencies key partners to Timmins.
The first evacuees will be put up at the Ramada Inn. Once it’s full, the Senator Hotel will start accepting them.
Photo credit: Google Maps
BY THE NUMBERS:
Timmins expects 400 evacuees by Wed., April 17
Another 300 next week
First arrivals go to Ramada Inn, later to Senator Hotel
