MPs debate suicide crisis in Attawapiskat

The tragedy in a remote northern Ontario First Nation reverberated on the floor of the House of Commons Tuesday night as MPs spent several hours discussing the suicide crisis in Attawapiskat.

Charlie Angus, the New Democrat MP for the area that includes the community, called for the emergency debate and was first to speak.

Angus says what's happening in the community isn't new, and it's time to do more than just apply Band-Aids and send in emergency flights.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says First Nations communities need hope, and that children there need to know they are valued and they have value.

An emotional Todd Doherty, a Conservative MP from B.C., was among those who said the time for fancy speeches is over.

Attawapiskat's chief and eight councillors declared a state of emergency on Saturday, citing 11 suicide attempts so far in the month of April and 28 recorded attempts in March.