Canada to improve drinking water in First Nation communities

In May Bill S-11 was introduced in Parliament to ensure that First Nations have clean drinking water. At the same time the Government of Canada announced that there would be a two-year extension of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan.

On May 26 the Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health announced the introduction of the bill that will help to safeguard the drinking water and build a funding strategy to safeguard investments in First Nations' drinking water. Over the next two years the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan will provide an additional $330 million to support the provision of safe drinking water. There has been some progress since 2006 in improving water and wastewater conditions across Canada. In 2006 there were 193 high-risk drinking water systems. That number has been reduced to 49 systems today. Also, of the 21 communities that in 2006 were listed as priorities 18 have now been removed from that list. “First Nations should expect, as do all Canadians, to have access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Minister Strahl. “The introduction of legislation and the extension of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan will enable the Government of Canada to continue making tangible progress on its commitment to improving water conditions on-reserve.” There is now access to a trained Community Based Water Monitor or an Environmental Health Officer in all First Nations communities. These officers sample and test the drinking water quality at the tap. There is now access to portable test kits in 92 percent of communities compared to only 56% in 2002. Between 2006 -2012 the Government of Canada will have invested over $2.3 billion in First Nations water and wastewater infrastructure. This funding includes: * annual departmental investments of approximately $200 million; * $270 million through the First Nations Water Management Strategy; * $60 million through the Plan of Action for Drinking Water; * approximately $660 million through the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan; and * $183 million through Canada's Economic Action Plan.