Indigenous Service Minister Ducks Questions on Fire that Killed Three-Year-Old Boy
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
On Thursday March 26, 2026, during an appearance before the assembled Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty refused to answer questions about the death of a three-year-old child in a house fire in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) from earlier this week.
KI is one of five First Nations which launched a human rights complaint against Indigenous Services Canada last year over unsafe fire conditions, and which the Canadian Human Rights Commission has failed to act on for seven months and counting. Yesterday, IFNA wrote to the Commission, demanding urgent action on the Complaint, and calling for an investigation by the Auditor General of Canada into the Commission’s slow walking of the complaint.
When questioned by Chief Carla Duncan of Muskrat Dam First Nation about the recent fire, Minister Gull-Masty refused to acknowledge her Ministry’s own role in holding back fire safety funding, instead casting blame on the Commission. The Minister failed to acknowledge the child’s fatality until twelve minutes into her response. Rather, the Minister spoke generally about hoping to “uplift” First Nations, all without addressing any of questions raised by Chief Duncan.
“Our communities have been raising concerns about fire safety and a lack of resources for years. We have clearly said that these conditions are dangerous,” said the Chief, demanding the Minister commit to prevent further tragedies. “A child is gone, a home is burnt to the ground, and families are left to carry that loss … The issues raised in that complaint are within your responsibility.”
Falconers LLP is honoured to represent IFNA on its pending complaint against Minister Gull-Masty’s ministry.
Related Documents:
IFNA Press Release – March 25, 2026
IFNA Board Resolution re Fire Safety Complaint – March 25, 2026
Media Coverage:
Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press (Mar. 26, 2026) – “Indigenous services minister questioned about fire that killed toddler”
Previous Postings:
https://falconers.ca/death-of-3-year-old-in-ki-linked-to-dysfunction-of-canadian-human-rights-commission/ (March 25, 2026)
https://falconers.ca/independent-first-nations-alliance-and-kitchenuhmaykoosib-inninuwug-file-human-rights-complaints-in-response-to-escalating-public-safety-crisis/ (September 4, 2025)
