Mr. Speaker, I stand once again in the House to table a petition signed by residents of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and surrounding area calling on the Government of Canada to assist in the funding required to built a new elders facility in Wiikwemkoong.
The petitioners note that they have received funding from the Government of Ontario, CMHC and community members, but there is a funding shortfall of $20 million. They draw to the Government of Canada's attention that it has funded health care facilities in the indigenous community of Moosonee, a long-term care home for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and a seniors long-term care facility in Rankin Inlet.
They add that the current facility in Wiikwemkoong has reached the end of its life expectancy, and it is vital for the community to ensure elders can stay in their community to not only share their knowledge and experience with younger generations and remain close to their families but also to not be subjected to another era of assimilation.