OTTAWA - A government appointed third-party manager tasked with handling affairs for a troubled Ontario reserve will be removed from his post shortly, according to a letter sent to Attawapiskat First Nation.

Charlie Angus, the NDP MP for the area encompassing the northern reserve, reviewed the government letter sent to the band on Thursday. The notice indicates the manager will be withdrawn on April 19.

Attawapiskat, located along the shores of James Bay, declared a state of emergency in late October due to a dire housing crisis.

"This decision [to withdraw the manager] has been reached in recognition of the success that has been achieved in addressing the urgent health and safety requirements of the 25 affected families that were identified last winter," the department letter states.

Angus said the plan to bring in the manager was flawed and a waste of money.

"This was just not a smart way to handle this community. He's gone," Angus said. "It has caused a lot of unnecessary interference."

Jacques Marion of BDO Canada LLP was cutting cheques to the reserve remotely from Winnipeg and he collected $1,300 a day for his services.

The government appointed a financial manager in response to Attawapiskat's housing crisis, but opposition parties said the community didn't need a bean counter in the midst of an emergency.

Attawapiskat's band took the government to court in a bid to block the money manager and to challenge the lawfulness of his appointment. A federal court ruling following a full judicial review was expected on April 24.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has yet to comment on the government's decision to withdraw the manager, but the reserve has now been placed back under co-management according to the letter sent to the reserve's chief.

The government approved the purchase of 22 mobile home to help tackle Attawapiskat's housing crisis and it also promised to conduct an audit on the reserve's financial management.

Results of an audit have not been released and a government spokesman has not indicated if the review has been conducted.