Since the Repeal of 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act – New Draft Shared

OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL ALGONQUIN TERRITORY – First Nations have long called for legislative reform on safe drinking water to meet their needs and reflect their voices. Since 2018, the Government of Canada has been engaging First Nations on legislative reforms to First Nations safe drinking water.

The Government of Canada is introducing new legislation following the repeal of the 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and the commitments made in the 2021 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Class Action Settlement.

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced that a consultation draft of a legislative proposal has been shared with First Nations rights holders, which also includes Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Nations, and First Nations organizations, to support the development of new proposed First Nations drinking water and wastewater legislation.

Since summer 2022, Canada has met with more than 80 First Nations and First Nations organizations to share information, listen, and work with First Nations partners to explore how to address their needs and priorities in new proposed drinking water and wastewater legislation.

Sharing this consultation draft represents an important milestone in engaging directly with First Nations rights holders and ensuring that federal laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Canada is also engaging with provinces and territories on the need to protect source water, which was a key priority identified by First Nations.

Engagement is an ongoing process, and Canada states they look forward to continuing to work with all First Nations and First Nations organizations on the development, implementation, and introduction of a legislative proposal for First Nations drinking water and wastewater.

As of February 28, 2023, 32 remaining long-term water advisories (LTDWA) remain in Canada with the bulk of them in Ontario. There are still 24 long term drinking water advisories in Ontario. In British Columbia, 0 remain, 20 have been lifted. In Alberta 0 remain, and 4 have been lifted. In Saskatchewan 5 remain in 4 communities and 21 have been lifted. In Manitoba 3 remain in 3 communities with 13 lifted. In Quebec 0 LTDWA remain and 3 have been lifted. In Atlantic

0 remain and 7 have been lifted.

In Ontario LTDWA 24 remain in 21 communities across the province. 70 LTDWA have been lifted. For the territories, there are either no long-term drinking water advisories to address or drinking water advisories do not fall under federal jurisdiction.

As of February 28, 2023, and since November 2015, 138 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted in First Nations.

First Nations and First Nations organizations interested in sharing their thoughts on the consultation draft can contact the engagement team at [email protected] or visit the engagement web page for more information. Engagement on the consultation draft is ongoing until March 19, 2023.