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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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UPDATE: Military Exits Neskantaga First Nation

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The military gets the go ahead to re-deploy men and women in uniform from the Neskantaga First Nation.

In an email to Acadia Broadcasting, Lieutenant Alex Wood with the 4th Canadian Division Headquarters says the First Nation has conveyed that it no longer requires support from the Forces and the Request for Federal Assistance has wrapped up.

[Canadian Armed Forces] members who were deployed in support of the Neskantaga First Nation will be redeployed to their respective units. The Forces is proud to have worked alongside our partners and community members to bring needed relief and assistance.

Military help was first requested back on October 23rd from Neskantaga First Nation through Ontario’s Emergency Operation Center.

The Federal Assistance Request came four days later (October 27th) through Public Safety Canada.

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Neskantaga Residents Returning Home

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Good news for those who live on the Neskantaga First Nation.

The nearly 200 residents are on their way home after problems with the water supply forced them to re-locate to the Victoria Inn.

Related: Neskantaga Declares Emergency

Chief Chris Moonias, in a statement released on his Twitter account Thursday, says while this has been a difficult time for his residents there were also moments of kindness and generosity from others across the country and the city.

The Chief also thanked Marc Miller, the Indigenous Services Minister, and mentioned he looks forward to an ongoing collaborative working relationship.

The boil water advisory will remain in place until work on the water treatment plant is completed.

Getting Everybody Home

A Thunder Bay company is set to unveil plans to help everyone get back to Neskantaga First Nation.

Sani Pass Canada along with community members will hold a news conference Friday morning at the Victoria Inn to demonstrate their disinfection channel technology.

The company says the device is meant to be a community protection COVID bubble, in combination with the use of a face mask.

The channel is equipped with strategically placed misting nozzles that disperse a very fine, dry fog of organic, non-toxic, non-irritant disinfection solution to assist in protecting individuals when entering a confined area by eliminating 99.9% of various germs and viruses that may be present on one’s body, clothing, and carry-ons.

Prime Minister Has Regrets

A long-held promise of the Prime Minister won’t be able to be fulfilled.

Justin Trudeau says he had hopes of lifting all drinking-water advisories in First Nations communities by March 2021 by putting more money and pressure to speed up the process.

However those advisories will remain in about a dozen communities after the deadline has passed.

According to the federal department, there were 59 long-term boil water advisories in effect in 41 Indigenous communities as of December 1st.

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Evacuees Out, Work Continues On Neskantaga First Nation

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There will be an inspection of the water treatment plant on Neskantaga First Nation.

While evacuees are in Thunder Bay, officials are trying to figure out what caused an oily sheen, which was discovered last week in the community’s water supply.

The initial results revealed high levels of hydrocarbons.

Indigenous Services Canada has indicated it will provide funding for evacuation efforts, however, Minister Marc Miller hasn’t put a specific number on it.

The minister notes the federal government is funding $16.44 million for a new water treatment plant and upgrades to the water distribution and wastewater collection systems.

It’s not clear how long evacuees will remain in Thunder Bay.