Article content

While social distancing is crucial during the COVID-19 crisis, First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba find it challenging due to the lack of infrastructure for housing.

The Pas NDP MLA Amanda Lathlin said there is a backlog of houses that needed to be built because of the fast-growing population within the Indigenous community.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Social distancing ‘simply not possible’ for many on Manitoba's First Nations Back to video

“Due to the shortage of housing and the growing population, there is a possibility that three generations of a family are living in the same home. Therefore, social distancing would be an issue especially if someone wants to self-isolate and they have nowhere to go to do that,” she said on Tuesday. “There is also the issue of the lack of running water in their homes so how are people supposed to be washing their hands and disinfecting when there is no water?”

Lathlin said there are also mould issues in houses that are not properly addressed which can result in respiratory illness such as asthma.