South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Garry Michi (Photo from South Bruce Peninsula municipal website)
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is issuing an apology after some comments made by Mayor Garry Michi about a neighbouring Indigenous community.
Bayshore Broadcasting News obtained an audio clip of Michi speaking about the water treatment plant in Cape Croker, which is located on Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation land.
It’s not clear who Michi is talking to in the clip or when it was recorded. It’s about 45 seconds long.
This is what Michi says in it: “Twenty, 25 years ago they put a water treatment plant up at Cape Croker. It got ruined because they didn’t maintain it. Now we’ve spent $65-million up there to put hydrants and a new water treatment plant. And 75 per cent of those houses, I mean they should be torn down,” says Michi in the audio clip. “It’s like why are we spending $65-million on a water treatment plant up there that is going to last 20 years because they are not going to look after it. Right? Just look at their home. I can understand to be poor, but you can be poor and clean.”
The town says in a statement they are aware of this audio clip that appears to be from Michi being circulated online, and his comments do not reflect the town’s position on the matter.
“The town would like to remind people that the specific comments of individual members of council or staff do not reflect those of the municipality,” says a statement issued on Friday by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.
The statement adds they sympathize with First Nations communities across the country as they struggle to access clean drinking water.
“The town supports federal efforts to fund capital projects that ensure all First Nations People across Canada have access to safe drinking water. The Town of South Bruce Peninsula would like to apologize to the community of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and to all First Nations communities across our nation.”
Bruce County issued a similar statement saying as Michi is also a county councillor, his comments do not reflect the county’s position on capital projects and respectful relationship building and will continue to review the situation.
The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation issued a statement in response, calling for Michi’s resignation.
Bayshore Broadcasting News reached out to Michi for comment on this story, but did not receive a response by deadline.