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Kapuskasing ready should James Bay coast evacuations happen

Once a decision has been made to evacuate, arrangements are made with provincial officials to ensure that appropriate care can be provided for evacuees in the proposed host community
Kapuskasing

NEWS RELEASE

TOWN OF KAPUSKASING

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Readiness for evacuations during spring break-up on the James Bay coast

Kapuskasing Council stands ready to assist with any potential evacuations that may occur during spring break-up on the James Bay coast.

“My Council and I recognize how important it is for people displaced from their homes to have a safe place to go to during emergencies such as flooding,” said Kapuskasing Mayor Alan Spacek. “Should the need arise to evacuate residents of First Nation communities, including Kashechewan First Nation, Kapuskasing will serve as an emergency hub so that there are safe and healthy accommodations available for potential evacuees.”

The decision to evacuate a First Nation is a consultative process with agreement between the First Nation Chief and Council, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Health Canada, the Office of the Fire Marshall and Emergency Management (OFMEM), which is an agency of the provincial ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Once a decision has been made to evacuate, arrangements are made with provincial officials to ensure that appropriate care can be provided for evacuees in the proposed host community.

In the event of an evacuation, OFMEM, through an agreement with INAC, oversees the evacuation and ensures the immediate and essential needs (food, water, shelter) of residents are met.

OFMEM also coordinates and maintains the record of evacuations from First Nation communities.

Kapuskasing will accommodate potential evacuees in motels and in other communities that have expressed desire to assist, such as Smooth Rock Falls and Kirkland Lake.

Gerry Demeules, evacuation coordinator, will work with other provincial and federal partners to provide appropriate support and services to potential evacuees, including meals, which will be available at the Civic Centre.

More information about evacuations may be found here.

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