Attawapiskat tainted soil removal: Gilles Bisson wants more funding

The MPP for Timmins-James Bay is pushing the province to help with repairs to the hospital in Attawapiskat.

It's been closed since heating fuel spilled in the basement at the end of November.

MPP Gilles Bisson said the province has already approved about $1 million to help with the situation, but he said the cleanup of contaminated soil around the building will require more funds.

“I'm trying to set something up with Minister Hoskins in order to get him to fast-track another approval on the additional money it will take to complete the clean up,” he said.

 “The issue for us is, while the ground is still frozen, we are able to move the soil that is necessary to replace the soil that will be pulled up from underneath the basement around the hospital.”

Bisson said air tests show that benzine levels are decreasing inside the hospital, but are still not considered safe.

It's unclear when the hospital will be able to re-open.

In the meantime, a clinic has been set up at the health centre in Attawapiskat to provide emergency medical care.      

Bisson travelled to the community last week to meet with band leadership.