Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon says she took Thursday’s visit to Thunder Bay by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an opportunity to reiterate the desire for a long term care home in her community.
Two years ago an application was filed to build a $25 million facility by former Chief Peter Collins, but it was denied despite a commitment Trudeau made to Collins.
Solomon says she feels let down.
“It is disappointing, it is disheartening that commitment has not been lived up to and it would have been nice to have that commitment reiterated.”
So far a considerable amount of money has been put towards the initial elements to make the facility viable for funding from higher levels of government, which has already been given support from the province.
“When you invest over five hundred thousand dollars into developing a green inclusive plan for funding that was really intended to support this project, it really leaves you wondering why it rolled out that way, why it hasn’t been approved.”
Undeterred however, Solomon says she has confidence to see some movement on the project as Thunder Bay – Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski has agreed the community needs a facility and continues to advocate as there are a number of benefits associated.
They include upwards of 200 jobs, both in the construction and operation of the home, and having a home that is more aware of the cultural aspects of Indigenous senior care, which Solomon says doesn’t really exist in other long term care facilities.
She adds there is also a housing component to the ask, which conveniently tied in to Thursday’s Housing Accelerator Fund announcement by Trudeau for the Thunder Bay.
“We have elders who don’t want to leave the community, they want to stay in their homes. So if that elder could go into a long term care facility that would make that house available for one of their family members that perhaps has a young family.”
Solomon notes it could also provide options for those living in remote Indigenous communities, that likely will never see a long term care home built due to feasibility.
