A fire that broke out on the night of August 17 in Wapekeka First Nation, a remote community in northern Ontario, destroyed a building that functioned both as a youth centre and a courthouse. No one was injured in the incident, and the cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
The loss of the building has disrupted local court operations, which rely on scheduled visits from justice officials flying into the community. The next court session was planned for September 12. Provincial authorities are collaborating with local leaders to explore temporary alternatives for hosting court proceedings.