‘Unreasonable’ to send manager to Attiwapiskat, says Federal Court

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The remains of a Canadian flag can be seen flying over a building in Attawapiskat, Ont., on November 29, 2011. The Federal Court says it was "unreasonable" for the federal government to appoint a third-party manager for the financially troubled First Nations community of Attiwapiskat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA – There will be a judicial review of the federal government’s decision to appoint a third-party manager for the financially troubled First Nations community of Attiwapiskat.

The Federal Court says it was unreasonable for Ottawa to step in and take over the northern Ontario reserve’s finances.

The James Bay community of 2,000 declared a state of emergency in October 2011 after a severe housing shortage forced more than two dozen families to live in temporary shelters, some without insulation or plumbing.

The Conservative government appointed a third-party manager as Prime Minister Stephen Harper suggested that the band had mismanaged federal funds in the face of the housing crisis.

That manager was withdrawn April 19, but the Attawapiskat First Nation refused to drop its lawsuit against the government.

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