Remarks in Oji-Cree.

Good morning. Winter is almost upon us. This morning I’d like to raise awareness of the impact of house fires and the risks in First Nations.

In 2019, in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug—also known as KI—a mother and four children passed away from a house fire.

Unfortunately, I have stood here in this House and asked for moments of silence multiple times for people in Kiiwetinoong who have died in house fires.

At the time, KI had a non-operational fire truck and an incomplete fire hall due to a lack of funding—despite First Nations having a 10-times-higher mortality rate compared to non-First Nations communities in Ontario. First Nations children ages zero to nine have the highest fire-related mortality rate, which is 86 times greater than non-First Nations children in Ontario.

House fires and hazards are at an increased risk in all First Nations, where access to fire departments and emergency medevacs require additional time for support—or they may not even have access to this, who do not have access to year-round roads, a challenge for 24 fly-in First Nations in Kiiwetinoong.

These concerns are directly linked to the safety, well-being and lives of children.

As the seasons change, I ask the members to consider the experiences of families in the north as they try to stay warm while living in these conditions.

Remarks in Oji-Cree. My question is to the Premier.

The children in northern First Nations are the most vulnerable in Ontario because of their limited access to health care. Because of the lack of children’s pain and fever medications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders and their allies are planning to travel to the US to get these medications, because this government cannot ensure supply.

The thought of losing any of our children because we do not have these basic medications available is intolerable.

How is Ontario working with Nishnawbe Aski Nation to address this issue?

Interjections.