Verdict of Constance Lake Blastomycosis Inquest: NDP MPPs Call for Urgent Action to Address Systemic Barriers to Indigenous Health Care

QUEEN’S PARK - Jurors have affirmed what Constance Lake First Nation (CLFN) leadership has been raising for decades, issuing 79 recommendations to confront the systemic failures that allowed blastomycosis spores to thrive and denied community members timely, culturally safe health care. NDP MPPs Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk – James Bay) and Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) urge the Ontario government to fully implement all recommendations within provincial jurisdiction.

The 2021 outbreak in Constance Lake claimed the lives of Luke Moore, Lorraine Shaganash, Lizzie Sutherland, Mark Ferris, and Douglas Taylor, and infected 50 other community members. While the verdict classified these deaths as “natural,” jurors agreed that action is required to tackle environmental contamination and systemic health care barriers.

“The provincial government must act in partnership with Constance Lake to implement these recommendations” said MPP Bourgouin, whose riding includes Constance Lake.

The 79 recommendations call for collaboration between Indigenous, federal, and provincial agencies including:

• Biannual monitoring of drainage ditches
• Inspection of blue-green algae in Constance Lake
• Remediation of mold in community homes.

The verdict also highlights the need to address systemic barriers to equitable Indigenous health care, recommending:

• Adequate funding for the Jane Mattinas Health Centre
• Commitment to Joyce’s Principle
• Plans to implement the TRC’s Calls to Action on health infrastructure and care.

“First Nations people continue to experience preventable health risks and systemic barriers to adequate health care. This inquest makes clear that urgent action is needed alongside broader health system transformation to ensure equitable, culturally safe health services for Constance Lake and communities across Ontario,” added NDP Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Treaty Relations, MPP Mamakwa.

New Democrats are calling for urgent government action to implement the 79 recommendations and prevent future tragedies like this.