4 novembre, 2006 20:14

Alberta reserve residents evicted over asbestos risk

Last Updated: Saturday, November 4, 2006 | 4:53 PM ET

CBC News

Hundreds of residents of Alberta's Tsuu T'ina reserve are to be permanently evicted from their Calgary-area homes over health concerns.

About 600 residents of Black Bear Crossing, a small community of former military houses at the reserve, were removed last month because of suspected asbestos contamination. Many have been living in hotel rooms or with family for the past few weeks.

Some of the former military housing units on the Tsuu T'ina reserve. (CBC)

After Health Canada tested the air quality, the band council said the risk of staying was too high, but would not release the specific levels of contamination.

The council, provincial authorities and the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs will be establishing emergency protocols to find rental units for the displaced residents.

The federal agency has committed to pay the cost of rental housing for a year.

Despite objections by band leaders, hundreds of residents occupied the dilapidated units after the housing blocks were abandoned by the military in 1998. As many as 800 residents have lived in the homes over the past decade because of a continued housing shortage on the reserve.

At the time they were ordered out of their homes, some residents said they felt they were being pushed out because of the council's plans to develop the area. The band has already begun construction on a casino near the homes.