The MP for northern Manitoba brought up issues and concerns brought to her by First Nations in the region to the federal government.

Niki Ashton says northern Indigenous communities are in crisis, citing talks she’s had with leadership and members over the past few weeks.

“First Nations in our region are in crisis and the government is missing in action. In God’s River, God’s Lake Narrows and Oxford House, drugs are destroying people’s lives. In God’s River, the RCMP took up to two and a half days to respond to a serious incident. There is a housing crisis, a cost of living crisis and an unemployment crisis. First Nations leaders and members on the ground are clear. They have never seen it this bad. What will it take for this government to act on the humanitarian crisis that is destroying families and First Nations right now?”

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu agreed with Ashton, saying these communities are -quote- “struggling under the weight of a colonial system that has not invested in their prosperity”.