Military assistance requested to help with Far North flood evacuations

A northern Ontario MPP is calling on the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in evacuations as severe flooding threatens two First Nations communities along the James Bay coast.

Guy Bourgouin, MPP for Mushkegowuk-James Bay, formally requested military support in a letter to Ontario’s Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, and the Ontario Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Jill Dunlop, on Friday. The letter cited critical flooding in both Fort Albany First Nation and Kashechewan First Nation, which has forced large-scale evacuations.

Kashechewan’s airport road was submerged as of Thursday, forcing residents to be flown by helicopter to neighbouring Fort Albany, which is on higher ground. However, Fort Albany is now also facing flooding, prompting its own evacuation. Approximately 200 people were flown to Cochrane on Wednesday, with more flights planned before Fort Albany paused its evacuations Thursday to assist Kashechewan evacuees.

On social media on Friday, Fort Albany First Nation reported that a Ministry of Natural Resources surveillance flight found no remaining ice in key sections of the Albany and Kenogami Rivers, though ice near Marten Falls had not yet broken up. Officials warned it could take two days for ice to reach the community.

By Saturday, the Anderson Causeway had been breached, allowing water from the Albany River to flow in. Residents were urged to prepare emergency supplies and boats, with the school gymnasium designated as a shelter.

Fort Albany First Nation Chief Elizabeth Kataquapit has also requested military support to manage evacuations for both communities.

In his letter, Bourgouin emphasized the urgency, writing, “Please, Ministers, employ the powers and resources accorded to you to assist in organizing this effort.”

The MNR continues to monitor conditions and will provide updates as the situation develops.

Evacuees in the region are typically flown south to wait out flood season in hotels – a routine occurrence for Kashechewan, which has evacuated annually for over a decade.