Current Problems: Drinking Water Advisories

Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Canada"

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Updates on this page: 41
 

April 19, 2024

UN expert finds ‘flagrant breaches’ of First Nations rights to clean water
Special rapporteur on water decries marginalization, repression of Indigenous Peoples in Canada UN expert discusses First Nations right to safe drinking water 22 hours ago, Duration 1:39 Click on the following link to view the video: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/special-rapporteur-un-water-indigenous-1.7179387?cmp=newsletter_Evening%20Headlines%20from%20CBC%20News_1617_1516113 Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, United Nations special rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation, talks about Canada’s failure to ensure...

April 3, 2024

Sask. First Nation says it won’t lift long-term boil water advisory until every house has direct water line
ISC says it is committed to providing safe water, offers cost-sharing on pipe infrastructure CBC Indigenous: Leaders on a Saskatchewan First Nation say they won’t lift a decade-old boil water advisory until every home in the community has direct access to clean water from the local treatment plant. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) can recommend that a boil...

March 28, 2024

Sask. First Nation a late addition to federal settlement over unsafe drinking water
(Rory MacLean / CTV News) First Peoples Law Report: CTV News Saskatoon – A new Saskatchewan community has just been included in the settlement of a class action lawsuit over unsafe drinking water in Canada’s First Nations. The settlement compensates people living in communities that were subject to a drinking water advisory of at least...

March 10, 2024

After 5 years, Oneida still has no clean water. Why a class action settlement could be a ‘relief’
The federal drinking water settlement deal covers 142,000 individuals from 258 First Nations  CBC Indigenous: A First Nation south of London, Ont., says compensation from the federal government in a class action settlement will be a relief for members who haven’t had clean drinking water in years.  After a years-long court battle, Ottawa opened the...

February 12, 2024

Piapot First Nation demands MP apologize, retract ‘baseless’ water plant burning remark
MP Kevin Waugh’s claim ‘misleading, grossly disrespectful and entirely unfounded,’ says Piapot leadership CBC Indigenous: A Cree First Nation wants a member of Parliament to apologize for saying First Nations in Saskatchewan have burned down water treatment plants over Liberal government inaction. The water treatment plant in Piapot First Nation, about 45 kilometres northeast of Regina, burned in...

January 25, 2024

Attawapiskat member files UN human rights complaint over decades-long struggle for clean drinking water
Charles Hookimaw’s submission to the international organization aims to hold ‘Canada’ accountable: ‘It’s been dragging on too long’ First Peoples Law Report: IndigNews – An Attawapiskat member has submitted a 500-page human rights complaint to the United Nations over his First Nation’s lack of access to clean drinking water. For months, Charles Hookimaw has been...

December 21, 2023

Prairie First Nations call on Ottawa to rewrite clean water bill
Ottawa dumping responsibilities on First Nations without adequate support or consultation, chiefs say CBC News: First Nations leaders in Manitoba and Alberta are calling on Ottawa to redraft proposed new clean water legislation — and warn that the bill would fail to ensure safe drinking water and wastewater services in their communities. Two groups representing more than 100 First Nations...

December 20, 2023

Alberta chiefs demand treaty table to talk about safe drinking water action
“We want clean water. We deserve clean water, but we shouldn’t have to do it this way.” — Norma Large, advisor to the Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services Advisory  Tallcree First Nation Chief Rupert Meneen Windspeaker.com: Alberta chiefs are looking for a carve out for their nations in safe drinking water and wastewater legislation...

December 15, 2023

Editorial Opinion: Too long a wait for water help
Winnipeg Free Press: In numerous news stories this week, the federal government’s new legislation aimed at improving water quality in First Nations communities was described as “long awaited.” That hardly begins to describe the decades of frustration, fury and feelings of betrayal and neglect that preceded Monday’s introduction of Bill C-61, formally described as “an...

December 13, 2023

AMC Challenges Efficacy of Federal Water Legislation
NationTalk: Treaty One Territory – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) challenges the efficacy of federal legislation to improve the quality of drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure on reserves across Canada. The First Nations Drinking Water and Wastewater Act insufficiently considers First Nations’ jurisdiction concerning drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on the traditional...

December 11, 2023

‘Not true reconciliation:’ FSIN reacts to federal bill on water
The federal government claims Bill C-61 was developed through extensive engagement that put First Nations voices at the forefront, but the FSIN does not agree. (980 CJME file photo) CBC Indigenous: North East Now: CKOM – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is not impressed with new federal legislation on clean water. The Canadian...

October 19, 2023

A brief timeline of the First Nations drinking-water crisis
TVO Today provides a snapshot of the crisis, from 1995 to the present day A woman carries water jugs in Neskantaga First Nation, which has been under a boil-water advisory since 1995. (Jonathan Hayward/CP) CBC Indigenous: TVO Today – Ten thousand four hundred eighty-five and counting: that’s how many days Neskantaga First Nation has been under...

September 27, 2023

Sask. First Nations among many in Canada continuing to fight for safe drinking water
A woman carries water jugs on the Neskantaga First Nation in Northern Ontario in September 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) NationTalk: NortheastNow: It’s something that you might take for granted in your home or office, but imagine that something as simple as a glass of water was not readily available to you. As Canada marks...

July 25, 2023

Shoal Lake 40 sues Canada, Winnipeg for years without drinking water, road access
‘We shouldn’t have had to risk our survival just so Winnipeg could divert water,’ says chief. An old barge that would ferry people and goods from Shoal Lake 40 to the mainland. Photo: APTN file  APTN News: A First Nation, whose lake supplies drinking water to the city of Winnipeg, is suing for a century...

May 2, 2023

AFN BULLETIN – United Nations Water Conference 2023
NationTalk: SUMMARY:   The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) sent a delegation to the United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the International Decade for Action or the “UN Water Conference” in New York, from March 22 to 24, 2023. The AFN’s delegation was led by Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse...

March 29, 2023

Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse (Manitoba) Calls for Support of First Nations-Led Water Priorities and Realizing the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water
NationTalk: OTTAWA — Assembly of First Nations’ Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse spoke at the United Nations Water Conference, taking place in New York, to highlight the rights of First Nations in any action on water governance and the need for intensified action to realize the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation for...

February 21, 2023

First Nations Drinking Water Settlement Claim Period Extended to March 7, 2024
FIRST NATIONS DRINKING WATER SETTLEMENT CLAIM PERIOD EXTENDED TO MARCH 7, 2024. Eligible First Nations and Individuals now have more time to submit their claim. NationTalk: Impacted First Nations and Individuals affected by long-term drinking water advisories that lasted for at least one year between November 20, 1995, and June 20, 2021, now have until March...

February 3, 2023

Ontario First Nation hires outside firm to investigate 28-year boil water advisory
Neskantaga has lived under a boil water advisory longer than any other First Nation CBC News: A northern Ontario First Nation that has lived under a boil-water advisory for nearly three decades has hired an outside consultant to find out once and for all what ails the community’s water system. Neskantaga First Nation, roughly 450...

February 1, 2023

AFN BULLETIN – Repeal and Replacement of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
NationTalk: The Assembly of First Nations issues regular updates on work underway at the national office.More information can be found at ww.afn.ca Repeal and Replacement of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act (SDWFNA) SDWFNA came into force on November 1, 2013. First Nations criticized it for lack of meaningful consultation, imposing unjust liability...

January 23, 2023

Feds commitment to Onedia water supply met with hope and uncertainty
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu hopes the deal will be signed this spring CBC News: Monday’s announcement that the federal government intends to pay for an 18-kilometre pipeline extension to bring clean drinking water to Oneida Nation of the Thames earned a mixed response from leadership in the Indigenous community. In an interview on London Morning, Indigenous Services...

January 1, 2023

Make this the year of safe and clean water on every First Nations reserve
The Globe and Mail: OPINION – Globe Editorial Board Too often, a resolution to improve is a three-act tragedy. It begins with a hopeful desire to reverse bad habits. In Act 2, resolve falters and progress sputters. And finally, in Act 3, there is resignation. Ah well, there’s always next year. Act 3 is where...

December 27, 2022

Oji-Cree First Nation frustrated as majority of community members ineligible for drinking-water settlement
Wunnumin Lake has until March 7 to choose if it will opt in to the agreement CBC News: Leaders from an Oji-Cree First Nation in Treaty 9 in Ontario say they want the Canadian government to take action to properly compensate all their community members enduring a long-term boil-water advisory, after learning most of them won’t...

December 20, 2022

State of emergency declared amid water shortage in Oneida Nation of the Thames
It’s costing $20K per day to ship water into the community, officials say CBC News: Leaders of an Indigenous community near London, Ont., are calling for the federal government to work with them to help solve chronic water supply problems after a state of emergency was issued Tuesday due to low water levels. Residents of Oneida...

December 15, 2022

Residents from dozens of Saskatchewan First Nations qualify for compensation
Lawyers are encouraging residents and band councils from impacted First Nations to apply before the deadline of March 7, 2023. NationTalk: SaskToday.ca: SASKATCHEWAN – Numerous people who lived on a First Nation in Canada – including Saskatchewan – that had a long-term drinking water advisory for more than a year are eligible to submit a claim...

December 7, 2022

Individuals who lived on a First Nation that had a long-term drinking water advisory for more than a year are encouraged to submit a claim for compensation
Resources are available to help navigate the claims process and submit a claim before March 7, 2023 NationTalk: DECEMBER 7, 2023 – The First Nations Drinking Water Settlement provides compensation for First Nations impacted by long-term drinking water advisories that lasted continuously for at least one year between November 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021. Compensation...

June 19, 2022

Neskantaga First Nation marks 27 years under a Boil Water Advisory – 10,000 days!
NationTalk: LANDSDOWNE HOUSE, ON – The community of Neskantaga First Nation (NFN) marked today as the 10,000thconsecutive day of being under a Boil Water Advisory (BWA). Causing 27 years of anxiety, frustration, and hardship in the community and a major challenge for the federal government to resolve—the current BWA was first declared on February 1,...

April 28, 2022

Update to Safe Drinking Water Settlement Agreement
Indigenous Services Canada: Chief Wayne Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation, Chief Doreen Spence of Tataskweyak Cree Nation and Chief Emily Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation, along with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided an update on the progress underway and announced that the claims period is open for the historic settlement...

December 23, 2021

Federal Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench approve an agreement to settle class-action litigation
APTN – Yesterday, the Federal Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba issued a joint decision approving an agreement to settle class-action litigation related to safe drinking water in First Nations communities. An appeals period of approximately 60 days will follow the courts’ approval of the settlement agreement. The class-action lawsuits could see...

August 30, 2021

Access to Drinking Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
“Inuit Tapariit Kanatami – A Joint Submission by Inuit Circumpolar Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation documents barriers to clean drinking water and sanitation among Inuit in Alaska, Canada and Greenland. The Submission provides recommendations to the UN Special Rapporteur as...

July 30, 2021

Tataskweyak, Curve Lake and Neskantaga First Nations sign an historic Agreement-in- Principle
“Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Neskantaga First Nation, together with the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced that an historic Agreement in Principle has been reached through a successful negotiation process to resolve national class action litigation related to safe drinking water in First Nations communities. This Agreement in Principle...

June 29, 2021

Marten Falls First Nation
Marten Falls First Nation – has agreed to join the class-action litigation on drinking water advisories in First Nation communities, which will be led by Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend (OKT) LLP and McCarthy Tétrault LLP. Marten Falls has decided to participate in this class-action lawsuit because it has been under a boil water advisory for over...

February 26, 2021

Auditor-General Report on Drinking Water Issues in First Nations
A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan tabled today in the House of Commons concludes that the support provided by Indigenous Services Canada has not been adequate to address long-standing problems with safe drinking water for many of Canada’s First Nations communities. Drinking water advisories remain a part of daily life in many of these...

February 20, 2021

Clean Water, Broken Promises
APTN – “Clean Water, Broken Promises”, a collaborative investigation into water issues in First Nations. Concordia University’s Institute for Investigative Journalism (IIJ) consortium has been investigating problems in water quality nationwide since September 2018. In November 2019, the group’s videos and articles revealed that in a half-dozen Canadian cities, lead levels in the tap water...

December 8, 2020

Shamattawa First Nation
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc – Letter to PM Trudeau – With 264 confirmed COVID-19 cases in a community of just over 1000 people, Shamattawa First Nation in northern Manitoba immediate assistance from your office to help us evacuate the Elders of Shamattawa to ensure they are able to safely isolate in closer proximity to health...

October 22, 2020

Neskantanga First Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) – Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias have demanded a coordinated response to the State of Emergency declared by the remote community as immediate heath threats from the water system has forced the community to evacuate its members. Indigenous Services Canada has refused to acknowledge the...

December 2, 2019

Tataskweyak Cree Nation proposes class-action lawsuit
National Post: A chief of a Manitoba First Nation is proposing a class-action lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of her community and other reserves that have experienced long-term boil water advisories. Tataskweyak Cree Nation Chief Doreen Spence said in a statement of claim filed last month that people are unable to practise their...

November 26, 2019

Oneida Water Distribution System
Toronto Star/ Ryerson School of Journalism: The water distribution system on Oneida territory (with 2,200 residents) – operated by the community with regulatory oversight from Indigenous Services Canada – has failed to meet provincial standards dating back to 2006. Upstream, the nearby City of London dumps millions of litres of raw sewage into the Thames...

October 15, 2019

Okanagan Indian Band : Other First Nations join lawsuit
Water Canada – Ermineskin Cree Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation and two other Alberta First Nations have joined forces with Okanogan First Nation to coordinate legal actions to confirm First Nations’ – and other Canadians – human right to safe drinking water. Ermineskin Cree Nation will also be presenting to the Assembly of First Nations...

August 19, 2019

Okanagan Indian Band files suit in federal court over drinking water
Water Canada – Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) filed a suit in Federal Court against the federal government over its failure to ensure the safety of drinking water. An expert assessment commissioned by the federal government in 2010 by firm Neegan Burnside produced a startling result. All of the drinking water systems were ranked an 8...

July 9, 2019

Attawapiskat First Nation
CBC – Attawapiskat declares a state of emergency over state of drinking water. Tap water shows potentially harmful levels of disinfection by-products. Pro-longed exposure to THMs and HAAs can cause skin irritation and could increase the risk of cancer, according to a consultant report prepared for the community. THMs and HAAs cannot be cleared through...

December 7, 2017

Parliamentary Budget Office
The parliamentary budget officer estimates it will cost at least $3.2 billion in capital investment to bring First Nations water systems up to the standards of comparable non-Indigenous communities in order to eliminate boil-water advisories by 2020. The spending watchdog’s latest report estimates the cost of updating drinking water systems at $1.8 billion, with another...
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