First Nations Clean Water Act was tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday
Indigenous leaders in eastern Ontario and western Quebec are expressing cautious optimism over a federal bill that promises legally enforceable protections for clean drinking water.
Bill C-37, or the First Nations Clean Water Act, was tabled by the federal government Tuesday.
It would allow First Nations to enter into agreements with federal, provincial and territorial governments to support the protection of water in and near their lands.
Currently, the Canadian government lists 38 First Nations communities experiencing long-term drinking water advisories, with 28 of those in Ontario.
“The reality highlights that the need for urgent and sustainable action needs to occur today," said Abram Benedict, Ontario regional chief for the Chiefs of Ontario (COO), at their annual chiefs' assembly Tuesday.
"Communities need reliable infrastructure, operational funding, technical support and long-term investments,” said Benedict, who's also the former grand chief for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
In a June 16 release, the COO called the new bill a “significant step,” but also said it "reflects a shift away from explicit recognition of First Nations rights."
Jean-Guy Whiteduck, chief of Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg in western Quebec, says the new bill dumps responsibility for ensuring clean water on the First Nations themselves — but adds that's not necessarily a bad thing.
“I think the First Nations have to take responsibility themselves for ensuring clean water,” he said. “And also it's a question of funding [and] having properly trained personnel.”
Bill C-37 follows Bill C-61, which also worked to ensure clean drinking water for First Nations. That bill died on the floor last January after the government was prorogued.
Benedict says the bill's current iteration shouldn't just focus on ending current water advisories, but also preventing future ones.
“We have seen time and time again where communities have eliminated boil-water advisories only to bring them back because long-term investments are not there,” he said.
“There needs to be accountability for the systems, for the operators, the government to ensure that these water systems are safe for our communities and that there is reliability but also confidence in the drinking water.”
Bill C-37 also ensures the government takes concrete steps to provide adequate and sustainable funding for water services.
Both the funding and the legally enforceable protections are positive developments, said Whiteduck.
Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg has been under a "do not consume” water advisory since Health Canada first issued one 1999, but it's not among Indigenous Services Canada's list of water advisories.
Whiteduck said the central issue impacting his community is high levels of metals like uranium found in well water.
The community will look to use the funding to establish osmosis treatment options for some wells, he said, and extend its water and sewer projects to more areas in the community.
Whiteduck also expressed concerns that not every community has the personnel or knowledge to ensure clean drinking water, saying he's not sure that all communities will buy into the new legislation.
“Clearly it's a start, and in the end, the First Nations have to have control over their own affairs and to ensure that their community has safe drinking water,” Whiteduck said.
Long-term investments and partnerships between First Nations and governments are needed for the bill to be effective, Benedict said.
The COO looks forward to discussions with the federal government, he added, to ensure the final legislation reflects the feedback from First Nations across the province.
Despite the cautious optimism from Whiteduck and Benedict, Bill C-37 still has a long ways to go before it's passed.
With the house expected to rise for summer break this week, the bill likely won’t be debated until the fall.
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Local chiefs call Bill C-37 a step forward, remain cautious about rollout | CBC News
By: Liam Baker
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak slammed the federal government’s proposed legislation regarding clean drinking water for First Nations in her opening remarks at the AFN annual general assembly on July 14.
OTTAWA - First Nations leaders and an opposition MP are denouncing the Carney government’s new proposed clean water legislation, which drops wording in a previous version that would have explicitly recognized First Nations’ right to clean drinking water.
There were impassioned speeches from First Nation chiefs, councillors, community members and activists as the focus on day one of the AFN’s annual general assembly turned to federal clean drinking water legislation.