Justin Trudeau

Prime minister tells cabinet ministers to concentrate on COVID-19, UNDRIP, clean water and justice

Prime minister tells cabinet ministers to concentrate on COVID-19, UNDRIP, clean water and justice

But he says the pandemic cannot throw everything off course and the letters highlight the need to fight the “existential threat” of climate change and ensure a future where all Canadians have “a real and fair chance at success.” Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous Services Canada, already has a number of massive files on her desk, including revamping First Nations child welfare, continuing to build clean water infrastructure in First Nations communities and to “support First Nations-led processes to transition away from the Indian Act.

'Empty promises' slammed

'Empty promises' slammed

Jagmeet Singh is focusing on what he’s calling Justin Trudeau’s empty promises as the New Democratic Party leader travels in northern Ontario to start the last week of campaigning. Singh says, for a government, it’s not what you say that matters, it’s what you do. The NDP leader will later be campaigning in Neskantaga First Nation, which had a boil water advisory issued more than 25 years ago. Trudeau promised in 2015 to lift all drinking water advisories by this March, but his government has since acknowledged it would not meet that goal.

Canada turns to satirical Indigenous website to interpret grim news

Canada turns to satirical Indigenous website to interpret grim news

Overwhelmingly, however, his satire speaks to both the “extremely unhealthy and abusive relationship” that defines Canada and Indigenous nations – and the “meaningless” way that politicians speak about issues like reconciliation. “It’s become a political buzzword. It has no meaning whatsoever,” he said. In one of the world’s wealthiest countries, dozens of Indigenous communities lack access to clean drinking water, Indigenous children are overwhelmingly represented in foster care, Indigenous peoples have lower life expectancy and Indigenous women remain the group most likely to be killed or go missing.

Singh and Angus visit Neskantaga First Nation: “26 years without clean water is shameful”

Singh and Angus visit Neskantaga First Nation: “26 years without clean water is shameful”

On Monday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay) visited Neskantaga First Nation to talk with the community about their longstanding water crisis. In 2015, Justin Trudeau promised an end to boiled water advisories on reserve and made Neskantaga the symbol of the Liberal promise to deliver on clean water. And yet the community is now 26 years without safe water with no end in sight. Singh was in the community to hear firsthand what solutions are needed.

Ottawa lags on promise to end drinking-water advisories for First Nations

Ottawa lags on promise to end drinking-water advisories for First Nations

Shoal Lake 40 First Nation has been under a drinking-water advisory since 1997. The community’s new water treatment plant, due to come online in the summer, will finally provide safe water. The Trudeau government promised to eliminate all long-term advisories on reserves by March, but dozens still lack access to safe drinking water.

Too many First Nations lack clean drinking water and it's Ottawa's fault, says auditor general

Too many First Nations lack clean drinking water and it's Ottawa's fault, says auditor general

The federal government has not done enough to ensure people in First Nations communities have reliable access to safe drinking water, says the federal auditor general. In an audit report tabled in Parliament today, Auditor General Karen Hogan said many First Nations will continue to live without access to clean water without long-term solutions to address deficiencies in their water systems. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed during the 2015 election to eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories on public water systems on First Nations reserves by March 31, 2021.

‘Not an honest effort’: First Nations leaders say water infrastructure must account for climate change

‘Not an honest effort’: First Nations leaders say water infrastructure must account for climate change

In 2014, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, on the edge of Rainy Lake in northwestern Ontario, declared a state of emergency when high water levels led to flooding that threatened some of its infrastructure, including the only access road in and out of the community. Sandbagging helped to limit the damage. “(The water treatment plant) was pretty close to being inundated, but they were able to stop that from happening. Some water did get in there, but it didn’t have a negative impact,” said Ed Morrison, Mitaanjigamiing’s band manager.

Clean water for First Nations critical during the COVID-19 pandemic: Activists

Clean water for First Nations critical during the COVID-19 pandemic: Activists

Activists in northeastern Ontario fighting for safe, clean water in First Nations communities across Canada are getting tired of broken promises. After five years and millions in spending, the Liberal government announced in early December that it would not fulfill its commitment to end all long-term water advisories on reserves by March 2021. Although some progress has been made – 97 advisories have been lifted since November 2015 – there’s still a long way to go. There are 59 active long-term water advisories in 41 communities across the country, and activists maintain that clean water should be a priority for the federal government, especially during a global pandemic. “Water is a basic human right, and nobody should have to beg for it. This is wrong, and it’s come to the point where I think it comes down to racism,” said Autumn Peltier, a teenage water-rights activist from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.

Canadian Rangers deployed to Neskantaga First Nation during water crisis, Miller says

Canadian Rangers deployed to Neskantaga First Nation during water crisis, Miller says

Canadian Rangers were expected to arrive in Neskantaga First Nation on Friday to help the remote community in northern Ontario as it grapples with a water crisis. Much of the First Nation was evacuated earlier in the month after high levels of hydrocarbons -- chemical compounds found in crude oil and coal -- were discovered in the water supply, forcing officials to turn off the pipes.