Menu

clean water

water-2

Feds Invest In New Water Treatment Plant

, ,

Shoal Lake #40 First Nation is getting $33-million from the federal government to end a long standing boil water advisory.

Kenora MP Bob Nault says it’s part of the Trudeau government’s commitment to end all boil water advisories on first nations.

Nault says there are about six more announcements that may be made in the coming months.

The money includes construction of a water treatment plant, reservoir and lift station as well as the installation of water main connections and some fire hydrants.

water-1

State Of Emergency Declared In Eabametoong First Nation

, , ,

Officials in Fort Hope First Nation are declaring a State of Emergency because of high levels of water contamination.

The community has been on a boil-water advisory for 18 years, but they say tests recently found certain chemicals were over twice the limit allowed in Ontario drinking water.

In a statement, Chief Harvey Yesno says they’ve contacted the federal Minister of Indigenous Services, but received no response, and no funding to upgrade their waste-water system.

Yesno says he’s concerned about the effects of the high levels of chemicals on their most vulnerable members, including newborns, as well as the risk of cancer.

The community of nearly 1,600 people is 360 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

Last week the remote northern community of Attawapiskat First Nation declared a State of Emergency over similar concerns.

 

bnault-1

Federal Funding For Water Treatment System In Washagamis Bay

, ,

The Federal government continues to make significant investments to ensure all First Nations communities have clean drinking water.

Indigenous Services Canada is providing over $8-million for a new water treatment system in Washagamis Bay, near Kenora.

Kenora MP Bob Nault says they are committed to ending all boil water advisories across Canada.

Nault notes at last count there are 13 communities in his riding still under a notice.

He hints that there are six announcements that could be made in the next few months.

Nault adds it’s important to provide the funding but states it’s also critical that the government ensures there are trained employees on site once the infrastructure is in place.

Washagamis Bay Chief Marilyn Sinclair says that it’s fabulous news, and something that she’s been waiting for for a long time.

Sinclair says she remembers running water back in 1985 but stresses they have been under two long-term boil water advisories for years.

She says community members have had to get their water from a nearby lake.

Sinclair adds the announcement represents a great beginning in the development of their community in addressing their priorities as a nation.