Great-grandparents Mary-Anne and Gordon Ballantyne, 75, are living in a camper trailer with their 19 grandchildren and great-grandchildren after losing their home to a fire. The couple, both diabetic, face extreme hardship in substandard conditions with no running water or electricity. They rely on a wood stove for heat, which fails to sufficiently warm the freezing space. Despite being on the housing waitlist for years, their living conditions are worsening, with the cold and stress impacting their health.
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) has offered assistance, including $6,000 for essentials and temporary housing, but the Ballantynes declined these options to remain close to their original home. The housing crisis affects over 3,900 band members, with only 335 homes available, compounded by violence and infrastructure challenges that deter contractors.
Mikayla Renas, their granddaughter, emphasized systemic issues like violence, drug problems, and insufficient housing support, creating challenges for families like theirs. Following media attention, the family accepted a temporary home offered by PBCN. Leaders urge collaboration across all government levels to address systemic challenges and prevent further hardship.
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