Fort Albany First Nation housing crisis continues as INAC sits on their action plan
Red tape keeps native families at risk in mouldy, flood-prone homes: critics
OTTAWA - Families are still living in mould-contaminated homes more than two months after Health Canada called for immediate repairs on the Fort Albany First Nation in northern Ontario.
At least 14 houses on the remote reserve near the James Bay coast need new drywall, insulation, vapour barriers and outside repairs to stop moisture problems worsened by shoddy construction.
Mould is considered a serious health threat blamed for acute asthma attacks, allergic reactions and a host of other respiratory problems. It's a problem in homes across Canada on reserve and off, but is rampant in overcrowded, poorly ventilated and flood-prone buildings.
Dr. Murray Trusler of the James Bay General Hospital said of one Fort Albany family: "Their home has leaky basement walls through which mice and insects freely traverse. The floor was wet and mouldy. They should be removed from their home while appropriate renovations are undertaken."
His report is dated July 24, 2007.
Trusler also examined a three-year-old boy suffering a stubborn, itchy rash over most of his body. Its resistance to treatment "makes one wonder if the mould is partly responsible for its ongoing presence," Trusler wrote.
Other residents complain of chronic headaches, sore throats, arthritic joints and nose bleeds.
The houses were built in 2001 by a Timmins, Ont., contractor without so much as basic grading to allow for proper water drainage, says a related report by B.H. Martin Consultants Ltd., a Timmins engineering firm.
Construction was financed through a bank loan and overseen by the local native leadership, said Tony Prudori, a spokesman for the federal Indian Affairs Department. He confirmed that two families "remain in alternate accommodation," but said repairs haven't started because the band must submit proper paperwork.
"We have not received any proposal from the First Nation outlining remediation work, next steps, costs and timelines."
The Canadian Press obtained a detailed work plan sent to Indian Affairs from the Mushkegowuk Council, which collectively represents Fort Albany and other regional bands.
The document dated Aug. 7 estimates repairs would cost $2.3 million to fix all 26 homes built in 2001. It also breaks down each phase of the project over a total timeline of six months.
"It is critical that this work start in late August or early September so that all foundation work can be completed prior to the colder weather setting in," said the document.
A spokesman for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said the work plan "was not the proper documentation required, nor was it complete."
The minister is very much aware of the mould issue and is concerned, said Ted Yeomans in an e-mailed response. Strahl will work with the tribal council and "we plan to move forward together when the appropriate and completed documentation is submitted."
Strahl's predecessor, Jim Prentice, also asked Fort Albany to provide an independent report on why the house builders cut so many corners.
Stan Louttit, grand chief of the Mushkegowuk Council, says about 50 people whose homes are affected are having to wrestle red tape amid a health crisis.
"These people have no place to go."
Louttit was dismayed when Indian Affairs staff - enforcing a long-standing but inconsistently used protocol - refused to meet with Fort Albany Chief Andrew Solomon on Sept. 28 because they didn't know he'd invited New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, whose riding includes the reserve.
The chief had travelled hundreds of kilometres to Thunder Bay, Ont., only to leave without a meeting, Angus said in an interview.
"I think that's the greater breach of protocol."
Louttit said Angus and other MPs or MPPs have sat in on many meetings over the years without incident.
Strahl's spokesman says Indian Affairs must be notified in advance.
Robert Gabor, another medical doctor who visited Fort Albany last summer, says help is needed now. He recalled the home of a mother and three kids where mould covered every wall almost from floor to ceiling.
"I would never move into that house. If it's substandard for me, why should it be standard for the community? It's Third World conditions.
"Accountability is what's needed here."
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NDP press release ...
Feds Stalling On Fort Albany Health Crisis Lack Of Action Over Mold Crisis Frustrating Residents
2007-10-05
Charlie Angus says Indian Affairs (INAC) continues to be missing in action when it comes to addressing the ongoing mold contamination crisis in Fort Albany. Angus has just returned from inspecting houses in Fort Albany and has found that no steps have been taken to help the Band address what medical authorities are calling a “grave threat” to human health.
“We are talking about people living in unsafe homes that are making them sick. The community is ready to address this crisis. Health Canada said they would be willing to work and yet, once again, where is INAC?”
Last summer, then Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice visited Fort Albany and asked the community for an action plan for addressing the 26 badly-contaminated homes. This plan was presented to INAC officials in August. And yet, just this past week, Minister Chuck Strahl said he was still waiting to see a plan from the community.
“Chuck Strahl told me he couldn’t do anything until the community came forward with an action plan. This action plan has been sitting on someone’s desk at the Indian Affairs office in Thunder Bay for over a month. It is unacceptable that this department is dragging its feet in the face of a serious health problem.”
Last week, Angus accompanied band chief Andrew Solomon to meet INAC officials in Thunder Bay to work on this action plan. However, the officials refused to allow the meeting to go ahead, citing “protocol” because Chief Solomon hadn’t provided a list of who was attending the meeting.
Angus says the community is growing frustrated by these bureaucratic roadblocks. “Jim Prentice promised the community he would undertake an investigation to find out how this mold crisis came about. So far nothing has been done. And nothing has been done to help the community with a remediation plan. Meanwhile winter is coming and the families are facing yet another season without help.
It’s time INAC stepped up to the plate.”