OTTAWA – Today in the House of Commons, Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, tabled a petition asking the federal government to help make up a funding shortfall to build a replacement Elders’ home facility in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
“Residents of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and others near the region are calling on the Government of Canada to assist in the funding required to build a vital Elders’ home facility,” said Hughes. “The petitioners note that they have received funding from the Government of Ontario, CMHC, and raised from community members, but a funding shortfall remains.”
The Ontario government has committed $30 million, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has provided $7.5 million, and the community has managed to fundraise $2.5 million. The current senior’s residence was first built 52 years ago and has reached the natural end of its life, leaving the community with a degree of uncertainty as to whether the project can be completed before the current seniors’ home closes its doors.
“They (petitioners) also note that the Government of Canada has also funded health care facilities in the largely Indigenous community of Moosonee, a long-term care home for the Mohawks of Quinte, and a seniors’ long-term care home in Rankin Inlet,” said Hughes. “The current facility in Wiikwemkoong has reached the end of its life expectancy, and it’s vital for the community to ensure that elders can stay in their community to share their knowledge and experience with younger generations, remain in close proximity to their families, and not be subjected to another era of assimilation.”
While the Federal government has previously stated that they have no intention of assisting with the funding shortfall, Hughes hopes that voicing the concerns of her constituents from Wiikwemkoong will push them to reconsider their decision.
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