Statement from the Mayor on Evacuees from Pikangikum First Nation

Following the threat of forest fire in their northwestern Ontario community, approximately 500 evacuees from Pikangikum First Nation are being hosted in Greater Sudbury.

I want to welcome these individuals to our community. I know this must be an incredibly difficult time for you, and I hope you find comfort knowing you are safe here and in good hands.

The evacuation, including logistics and costs for the duration of the stay in Greater Sudbury, is being managed by Emergency Management Ontario, with support from Canadian Red Cross, Community Disaster Response Ontario and Public Health Sudbury & Districts. COVID-19 measures are in place with quarantine protocols and vaccines available, as needed. I would like to thank these organizations for their incredible hard work and compassion in organizing this evacuation.

Members of the City’s Community Safety Department will continue to meet with officials from Emergency Management Ontario and Canadian Red Cross over the duration of the evacuees’ stay in our community.

Mayor Brian Bigger