KRISTY KIRKUP | PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
OTTAWA - An Ontario reserve's bid to block a government-appointed money manager has been rejected by a Federal Court.
On Friday, the Toronto-based court rejected Attawapiskat First Nation's attempt to obtain a temporary injunction, which would have stopped the work of a third-party manager.
Government lawyers have been squaring off with legal counsel for the First Nation since Tuesday.
Attawapiskat, located along the shores of James Bay, declared a state of emergency in October because of a dire housing crisis. Some families were living in unheated tents and shacks.
The government appointed a financial manager in response to the calamity, but opposition parties said the community didn't need a bean counter in the midst of an emergency.
Liberal aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett expressed her disappointment about the decision Friday.
"It is shameful that Attawapiskat has to try through court to get the PM and this government to stop taking unilateral actions on behalf of the community," she said. "Third party management is a failed policy. The government's own documents have shown that it is expensive, ineffective, and doesn't build capacity."
The government said it respects the decision of the court to uphold the role of third-party manager.
"We strongly encourage the chief and council to work with the third party manager and government officials to ensure the health and safety needs of families are addressed on a priority basis and that essential services are delivered to the community without interruption," said Michelle Yao, spokeswoman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan.
Attawapiskat's Chief Theresa Spence could not be immediately reached for comment on the court ruling.
In court, she was trying to prove the government's decision to bring in the manager would cause irreparable harm to the community.
The government approved the purchase of 22 mobile homes to help tackle Attawapiskat's housing crisis, but they haven't reached the community because officials have to wait for winter roads to freeze.
Due to thawing, the roads may not be open until mid-March. Attawapiskat residents have been taking up shelter in retro-fitted shelters in the community.