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MP Leah Gazan Statement on Bill C-37
MP Leah Gazan Statement on Bill C-37
In 2015, when the Liberals were elected, they promised to end all water boil advisories. It is now 2026 and, in addition to failing on this promise, they continue to violate the right to clean and safe drinking water for all Canadians, including First Nations. Instead the Liberal government continues to backpedal even further on upholding clean and safe drinking water as a human right for First Nations in Bill C-37.
The Liberals’ treatment of the right to safe and clean drinking water as a “progressive realization, for individuals on First Nations Lands” is unacceptable. The right to clean, safe drinking water is a right that has been guaranteed in international law, including Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is abhorrent that the federal government not only fails to acknowledge this fundamental right but continues to violate its duty to ensure clean and safe drinking water for all persons across Canada.
Moreover, Bill C-37 limits First Nations’ jurisdiction in relation to source water, drinking water and waste-water to the boundaries of a reserve. I would like to remind the Liberal government that Aboriginal Rights and Title are protected under the Constitution. This includes traditional activities such as hunting, gathering, and fishing, that are not confined within reserve boundaries. These rights have been confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. The failure of the Liberal government to uphold First Nations’ jurisdiction over water, flowing outside of reserve boundaries, is an irresponsible omission in this bill, which will surely lead to increasing court battles in the future.
The government has already shamelessly delayed the tabling of this legislation that was ordered by the courts, and at every turn they have continue to water down even the most basic rights for Indigenous peoples. It is especially disturbing that while Carney’s Liberals are failing to respect the right to clean and safe water as a human right, they are doubling down on environmentally catastrophic fossil fuel and natural resource projects while eliminating environmental safeguards to protect water systems.
Canadians value the right of all people to have access to clean and safe water. It is a shameful, that in a country as rich as ours, there remains so many First Nations who are denied this basic right, one that should never be up for debate. Especially in light of the preliminary findings of the Permanent People’s Tribunal, which concluded that the ongoing legislative direction of Canada is contributing to the genocide of Indigenous peoples, this is a new low for the Liberals who are once again attacking the dignity, safety and security of First Nations.
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MP Leah Gazan
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