Province leaving Hopedale high and dry: AngajukKâk Jimmy Tuttauk
An ongoing water emergency in Hopedale has many residents relying on bottled water to meet their basic needs — and AngajukKâk Jimmy Tuttauk says the Newfoundland and Labrador government isn't doing enough to help.
However, the province says it has been working with the town to find solutions.
Water levels in the coastal Labrador community dropped to a dangerous level last week, forcing the town to declare a state of emergency.
Some residents have resorted to melting piles of snow just to get a few cups of water.
Tuttauk feels they've been abandoned by the province.
"If this happened in St. John's, or anywhere else in Newfoundland, this would have been addressed, and, [the province would say] 'No problem, what else do you need?' But we're in Labrador," Tuttauk told CBC News.
"I'm getting really frustrated with some of the provincial ministers and whoever else is in power there," he said.
"They've neglected us for far too long — and we're not taking it no more."
Tuttauk said repair costs will significantly increase unless the province decides to intervene.
In a statement Saturday, the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs said it had been in contact with Tuttauk earlier in the week.
"During a call with Minister [Keith] Hutchings, Mr. Tuttauk indicated that everything needed to deal with the current situation was available," the statement read.
The department said it hasn't received any subsequent calls for service, adding it urges Tuttauk to contact its offices if he has any other immediate needs.
Everyone should unite
A resident of Sheshatshui donated 20 cases of water to the community, using his own money and funds he collected from recycling.
"When there's an emergency like this, everyone should unite and help out. That's what we're trying to do," Gabriel Rich said.
The Department of Advanced Education and Skills and the Canadian Red Cross have donated bottled water to residents.
According to the department, pumps that were requested by the community are now on site. Those pumps are being used to supply additional water into the reservoir to increase water levels.
