Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof says he has contacted the natural resources and municipal affairs ministers about the flooding at Nellie Lake.
And the New Democrat says Conservative natural resources minister Graydon Smith agrees that something must be done to lower the water level.
While a municipal state of emergency is in effect around the part of the lake in Iroquois Falls territory, there is no provincial emergency declared in unorganized Aurora Twp. Vanthof says that’s because the standard is much higher.
“I fully understand the gravity of this situation,” he says, “but up until now, it is a total monetary loss, not a potential loss of life.”
The MPP agrees with residents that there’s no time for bureaucracy, a study and public consultation. They need help now.
“I fully appreciate that the people of Nellie Lake want and quite frankly need quicker action, and we’re doing everything we can to make that action happen, but first, it has to be decided what action is going to be taken.”
Our full interview with Vanthof is in this audio link:
