The previous update on Sept. 28, 2024 indicated that 31 First Nations communities still had 33 long-term drinking water advisories (81% completion rate). 145 had been lifted. For a complete breakdown on progress since Dec. 23, 2020 see TABLE: Long Term DWAs below under “Government Actions to Improve Drinking Water.
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Drinking Water Class Action LawsuitDec. 23, 2021: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 approximately 142,000 individuals from 258 First Nations compensated, along with 120 First Nations.Other NewsNov. 23, 2023: The Fall Economic Statement from the federal government allocated $1.5B to ensure access to safe drinking water and treated wastewater in First Nations communitiesSept. 29, 2023: The federal government aims to table a bill this fall that would aim to support the development of federal regulations to support First Nations’ access to clean drinking water and the effective treatment of wastewater. The new bill is expected to come more than one year after Canada repealed the 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act in June 2022.May 5, 2021: Global News – An auditor general report on access to safe drinking water in First Nations (Report 3 “Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities— Indigenous Services Canada” released on Feb. 21, 2021 estimates that the federal government would not be able to eliminate all long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations until 2023-24 and that it would take until 2025-26 to ensure long-term solutions for a stable drinking water supply in some of the affected nations. https://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/432/PACP/WebDoc/WD10867510/Action_Plans/DepartmentOfIndigenousServices-e.pdf
Featured Updates
Long-term DWA
‘Life is hard’: Living under a 29-year boil-water advisory in an Ontario First Nation
Every other day, Derek Moonias drives 15 minutes to the airport in Neskantaga First Nation and fills his pickup truck with cases of bottled water…
UN expert urges ‘profound changes’ in Canada to uphold First Nations’ water rights
Official’s report puts a welcome international spotlight on long-standing domestic issues, advocates say Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, United Nations special rapporteur on the right to drinking water…
Canadian Nobel Prize Winner donates half of his winnings to fight the water crisis in Indigenous communities
Geoffrey Hinton, Godfather of AI, University of Toronto, on Centre Stage during day two of Collision 2023 at Enercare Centre in Toronto, Canada. Photo by…
After decades of ‘slime,’ B.C. First Nation celebrates clean drinking water
New water treatment plants gives St'uxwtéws members access to clean drinking water Elder Dean Morgan check out the new water treatment facility. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC) CBC News:…...
Alberta chiefs seek clarity on Canada’s view of water rights following class action defence
Case adds to concerns federal clean water bill is 'dump and run legislation,' First Nations leaders say Canada's defence arguments in a class action lawsuit…...
AFN national chief urges all parties to support First Nations clean drinking water legislation
Indigenous Services minister says it's 'a race against time' to get bill passed Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks in the…...
Judge reserves decision on Canada’s legal duty to provide First Nations with safe water
3-day hearing concludes in Shamattawa First Nation’s national class-action lawsuit Shamattawa First Nation and its Chief Jordna Hill are lead plaintiffs seeking redress for First…...
Canada stresses ‘political’ nature of commitment to providing First Nations clean water
Federal government emphasizes its discretion over funding decisions in Shamattawa class action defence Shamattawa First Nation launched a class-action lawsuit against the federal government in…...
Canada has no legal obligation to provide First Nations with clean water, lawyers say
Hearing opens in drinking water class action launched by Shamattawa First Nation Shamattawa First Nation in northern Manitoba is seeking a judgment that Canada has…...
Water First internship is training the next generation of First Nation water operators
Taking school to the stream at Enviro Week, interns explored the importance of source water protection. Photo submitted Listen to article Canada's National Observer: Janelle Snache…...
