By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer As wildfires rage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, displacing over 26,000 people \u2014 many from northern and First Nations communities \u2014 leaders say Ottawa\u2019s response has been both delayed and inadequate. The discussion reached a peak as NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre, Leah Gazan led an emergency debate on Tuesday in the House of Commons. Gazan accused the federal government of failing to protect Indigenous evacuees and violating their Charter and treaty rights. \u201cThe federal government is obligated to uphold the dignity and well-being of First Nations that are affected by these wildfires,\u201d she said. Gazan said First Nations leaders had told her evacuees \u2014 including children, Elders, and those with medical needs \u2014 were housed in crowded and poorly equipped… <\/p>\n
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer As wildfires rage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, displacing over 26,000 people \u2014 many from northern and First Nations communities \u2014 leaders say Ottawa\u2019s response has been both delayed and inadequate. The discussion reached a peak as NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre, Leah Gazan led an emergency debate on Tuesday in the House of Commons. Gazan accused the federal government of failing to protect Indigenous evacuees and violating their Charter and treaty rights. \u201cThe federal government is obligated to uphold the dignity and well-being of First Nations that are affected by these wildfires,\u201d she said. Gazan said First Nations leaders had told her evacuees \u2014 including children, Elders, and those with medical needs \u2014 were housed in crowded and poorly equipped... <\/p>\n