long-term boil-water advisories

Feds announce $11B towards housing, reconciliation and residential school support

Feds announce $11B towards housing, reconciliation and residential school support

Clean drinking water Another omission from the 2022-2023 budget is the projected $8 billion payout as part of a class-action suit regarding long-term, on-reserve boil water advisories. But according to the budget, the overall drinking water situation is improving – despite missing their initial 2021 target to lift all long-term boil-water advisories in communities across Canada. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) data indicates 131 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted since 2015, and “initiatives are underway” to resolve the remaining 34. To this effect, the government is allocated $398 million over two years to ISC to “support community infrastructure on-reserve.” At least $247 million of this amount will be directed toward water and wastewater infrastructure, according to the budget outline.

Process to apply for First Nations drinking water compensation now open

Process to apply for First Nations drinking water compensation now open

As of today, residents of First Nations impacted by long-term boil-water advisories can apply for compensation as part of a class-action lawsuit taking aim at the Federal government. The $8 billion First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, reached in December 2021, earmarked $1.8 billion in compensation for impacted First Nations, as well as a $6 billion commitment for construction and maintenance of safe water infrastructure in communities across Canada. Any First Nation member who lived in a community affected by a boil-water advisory lasting more than a year between November 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021, is eligible for compensation.

Hajdu looking at 'realistic timeline' to end First Nations boil water advisories

Hajdu looking at 'realistic timeline' to end First Nations boil water advisories

Canada's new minister of Indigenous services says she's considering what the new timeline should be to lift remaining long-term drinking-water advisories on First Nations. Patty Hajdu enters the role with 43 advisories still in place in 31 different communities mostly in Ontario, but also in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to end all drinking-water advisories by 2021 when the Liberals were swept to power in 2015.

What does the Liberal election platform promise on Indigenous issues? Here’s what we know

What does the Liberal election platform promise on Indigenous issues? Here’s what we know

In previous elections, the Liberals promised they’d end long-term boil-water advisories. Those are advisories that have been in place for more than a year and that warn residents to boil water for at least a minute before drinking it or using it to cook. Now, the Liberal Party is promising they’ll finish the job they didn’t get done in previous terms in Parliament. In the platform, they say they’ll make “any investments necessary to eliminate all remaining advisories.” That promise doesn’t specify that they’d have to be long-term drinking water advisories — which is something that appeals to one advocate.

‘They’re really struggling’: Inside the Neskantaga First Nation water crisis

‘They’re really struggling’: Inside the Neskantaga First Nation water crisis

When Chris Moonias woke up thirsty at 4 a.m. in his room at the Victoria Inn on a recent fall day, the first thing he did was look for a bottle of water. Though tap water was available in the bathroom, the Neskantaga First Nation chief grabbed his key, left his room, and walked to a nearby boardroom to find a bottle. He couldn’t bring himself to use the tap. His community has been under a 25-year boil-water advisory, Canada’s longest, and a distrust of running water, he says, has become pervasive among its members: “That’s the continued trauma. I'm not the only one that goes through this. If you go room to room here at the hotel, I guarantee you 100 per cent of those rooms have cases of bottled water.”

COVID-19 may delay Liberal pledge to end long-term boil water advisories on First Nations

COVID-19 may delay Liberal pledge to end long-term boil water advisories on First Nations

The pandemic has put some of the Liberal government's key deadlines of its reconciliation agenda in jeopardy, including a promise to end all long-term boil-water advisories on First Nations by next March. Last week's throne speech indicated a shift in language around the commitment to eliminate the long-term advisories. It made no reference to the 2021 deadline — which was clearly cited in the previous throne speech in 2019.