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More Money Needed For Safe Drinking Water For First Nations

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First Nations communities are still struggling with not having safe drinking water.

The Parliamentary Budget Report regarding First Nation’s drinking water was released and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief, Derek Fox, said in a statement that the federal government needs have more funding commitments to ensure safe drinking water for these communities.

According to the report, spending in 2016/2017 as well as planned spending until 2025/2026 will be enough to cover capital costs but not to help maintain or pay for operational costs. The report estimates that $138 million should be spent per year in order to cover that spending.

Across NAN territory, there are seven short term and 13 long term boil water advisories happening. Neskantaga First Nation has been on a BWA for 26 years, that is the longest in Canada.

In NAN’s 2018 infrastructure assessment, it saw only 44 per cent of final costs were covered for operations and maintenance across NAN communities.

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NAN Unimpressed With Response To Water Report

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With over a dozen of its communities still under boil water advisories, Nishnawbe Aski Nation is not satisfied with the response to a new report on water in First Nations.

The report from the Auditor General confirms that Indigenous Services Canada hasn’t given First Nations enough support to ensure safe drinking water.

However, NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the federal government’s reply is not enough.

In response to the report, Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller says he commits to fully fund operation and maintenance costs for water and wastewater systems.

Fiddler says the way those costs are calculated gives communities less than half of what they need.

“The government’s plans for funding and resources are vague, open-ended goals without firm timelines or accountability,” Fiddler says.

He adds what First Nations need are new, clear policies to make sure funding is there to meet their needs.

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Drinking Water Concerns Due To Lead

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A recent report says hundreds of thousands of Canadians could be drinking lead-laced drinking water.

Ontario’s Environment Minister Jeff Yurek says he has read the report, but for the most part the province’s residents don’t have to worry.

“Ontario’s water is in great shape. In fact 99% of municipal residential drinking water systems met Ontario’s drinking water standards. 95% of schools and childrens centres, with over 87,000 test results, met Ontario standards for lead in drinking water.”

Yurek adds the government will continue to work with municipalities to ensure that drinking water is clear of lead.

However, the NDP’s Judith Monteith-Farrell says the lead comes from the pipes and in many cases, the aging infrastructure hasn’t been replaced.

The Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP says residents in her home community are dealing with lead concerns because of old pipes.

“Even after treating the water, investigators found high levels of lead in people’s drinking water in over 100 failed tests.”

NDP Municipalities critic Jeff Burch questions the PC’s commitment to clean drinking water, noting provincial funding for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund was cut from over $111 million last year, down to just $1,000 this year.

The Fund provides funding for municipal water infrastructure, so cities and towns can have safer drinking water.

In Canada, there is no national mandate to test drinking water and agencies that conduct tests have no obligation to inform residents.

Provinces set their own rules for water testing and lead pipe replacement.

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Neskantaga Residents May Return Home Next Week

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Some 220 residents of Neskantaga First Nation remain in Thunder Bay.

They were evacuated because of a water crisis in the Kenora District community.

Chief Chris Moonias explains they will not be able to return home until next week at the earliest.

That’s because a new water pump has been installed, but the water needs to be tested to make sure it’s safe.

Results are not expected back until at least Monday.

Moonias says about 10 community members stayed behind and they are keeping an eye on homes and feeding pets in the First Nation.

 

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Feds Pledge Clean Drinking Water In Neskantaga

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The Federal Liberal candidate for the Kenora Riding believes we are a few weeks away of having the water treatment plant in Neskantaga First Nation finished and up and operating.

Bob Nault says it’s unfortunate the water pumps failed to work last week, because they were set to end the longest boil water advisory in Canada.

Nault notes he’s been informed that the issue with the water pumps is now resolved and testing is underway.

He says work on the $8.8-million water treatment plant should resume shortly afterwards, ending 26 years of boil water advisories.

Nault says it’s his understanding that the new water treatment system will be completed in October.

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Call Made For Provincial Help For Neskantaga

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Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says it’s appalling the federal government is refusing the evacuation of children, babies and elders in Neskantaga First Nation who are being exposed to contaminated water.

A state of emergency has been issued due to the failure of the communities water pumps.

Mamakwa is now asking for the Ford government to step in and take immediate action.

The NDP Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation critic says the Premier and feds shouldn’t play jurisdictional games with the health and lives of residents.

Mamakwa says access to clean drinking water is a human right and adds the current response shows the government doesn’t seem to think this fundamental right applies to First Nations people.

 

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Feds Taking Action To Avoid Water Crisis In Attawapiskat

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With the remote northern community of Attawapiskat under a State of Emergency due to contaminated water, the federal government insists it is taking action.

Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Regan explains there is already $1.5-million set aside for water system improvements and the equipment is on-site and ready to install

O’Regan says “We have two community members who are already trained on how to conduct a comprehensive community plan, so we can begin that work immediately, so both a short and long-term start now.”

He says health care professionals will be on site this week and technical staff should arrive in the First Nation today. (Tuesday)

O’Regan stresses the commitment to improve the water supply has always been a top priority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ontario NDP Leader Address Attawapiskat Water Crisis

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NDP leader Andrea Horwath is calling on the Ford Government to take action to help Attawapiskat with its water crisis.

She visited the community last week and was told about how residents fear the water since it gives off noxious gases.

Horwath wants the province to pay for clean, safe drinking water in First Nation communities and then send the bill to Ottawa.

Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency this month because of high levels of chemicals found in their water.

The official opposition leader says it’s unacceptable people are afraid to bathe their babies in their own tap water.

Horwath calls clean water a basic human right and all levels of government have a responsibility to provide it.

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Concern Remains Over Water Situation In Attawapiskat

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Frustration is growing in Attawapiskat over the cool Federal response to a State of Emergency in the remote northern First Nation.

That’s according to Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, who recently visited the community.

Angus says families and children are being directly impacted by the chemical contamination in the water.

He says he met with children who get nose bleeds when they were given a bath.

Angus notes the problem facing the community is seriously inadequate infrastructure.

He stresses the entire water treatment plant needs an overhaul.

The NDP member says he also witnessed over 300 families without homes and notes the Liberal government is sitting on a full report outlining the needs and cost of ensuring safe drinking water in the community.

Minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O’Regan was in Attawapiskat on Sunday with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler to witness the crisis first hand.