Diabo and Leborgne Vote Against State of Emergency Extension

The current State of Emergency has been extended for an additional 30-day period by The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke with the renewal is in effect until February 2oth. The decision was made by the MCK, based on a recommendation from the Public Safety Commissioner in consideration of the on-going situation in the community. However, the decision was not unanimous, with both Lindsay LeBorgne and Cody Diabo objecting to the Mohawk Council Resolution. Diabo says COVID isn’t going away:

“I’m talking about future variants and they are just going to be a part of our life now, so for me I think it’s, we can’t live in a perpetual state of emergency and nor do I think that anyone wants to. But for me, the time is now to start that transition of this is going to be life now, masking, distancing things like that, but how, obviously there are some details that need to be worked out but if we don’t start that planning now and getting used to it, I worry that there’s always going to be a reason to keep extending it.”

Leborgne is in no way trying to upset the apple cart:

“I’m not trying to undermine the Task Force, the rest of Council, I respect everybody on there, I respect the things that they’ve done  up to this point, but I think just think we have to move in another direction now, that’s all.”

Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer saying, “Today’s decision is not about politics, it is about the continuing battle to keep our elders and at-risk population safe. Our sister communities have tragically suffered a number of fatalities, something that we have avoided so far. Additionally, our own emergency services and essential workers have been seriously impacted during this ‘fifth wave’ and we have an obligation to take every measure to ensure that we stay in a position to protect those people as well.”

In accordance with the Kahnawà:ke Emergency Preparedness Law, the Decree will be in place for thirty (30) days, and can be renewed as required.