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A city plan to improve water services to Indigenous communities is heading downstream. Barrie city council approved a motion Monday night to consult with Indigenous communities, including the Barrie Native Friendship Centre and the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, on the possibility of dedicating 0.2 per cent of its water and wastewater revenue forecast in the 2022 budget toward Water First, and that organization’s efforts to improve water services in First Nations communities.
The City of Barrie could soon let some funding flow into Indigenous communities in need of safe, clean water. Council passed a motion Oct. 4 that will start the ball rolling on a plan to dedicate 0.2 per cent of the municipality’s 2022 water and wastewater revenue to Water First. The organization works to improve water services in Indigenous communities across Canada. Under the proposal, the city will consult with the Barrie Native Friendship Centre and Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle before taking further action.
Barrie could dedicate 0.2 per cent of its 2022 water and wastewater revenue — or about $100,000 — toward efforts to improve water services in Indigenous communities. City councillors will consider a motion to that effect Monday night, to help overcome the effects of colonization, discrimination and racism on Indigenous communities in Canada. “About 40 per cent of Ontario’s (Indigenous) reserves are currently operating under a boil water advisory. That is unacceptable,” said Deputy Mayor Barry Ward, whose motion is an item for discussion Monday. “I thought making a direct contribution to improve access to clean drinking water in Indigenous communities would be a wonderful gift from the residents of Barrie in the spirit of reconciliation.
