(October 10, 2024 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) — Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak appeared before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) to provide testimony on Bill C-61, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nations lands (First Nations Clean Water Act). The bill, having passed second reading in the House of Commons, is now under INAN Committee review.
“The First Nations Clean Water Act is an important first step toward ensuring safe and clean drinking water for First Nations, a basic human right and an essential service,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “This proposed legislation affirms the inherent right to self-government over water and related infrastructure, and it requires that standards for drinking water and wastewater services on-reserve be comparable to national standards provided off-reserve. Importantly, it includes provisions for rights-based regulations to protect source water.”
“Many First Nations living on-reserve still face substandard water and wastewater conditions. They are 90 times more likely to lack access to running water than other Canadians, with over 30 long-term water advisories still in place after three decades of this crisis,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “Despite the Government of Canada’s fiduciary obligation and their public commitments to ensuring First Nations access to safe and clean drinking water, their position in various legal challenges, including the class action lawsuit initiated by Shamattawa First Nation, suggests otherwise. Additionally, as recognized by the United Nations, access to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. The continued failure to provide these essential services not only undermines these rights but also indicates a complete disregard for the lives and rights of First Nations – which has far too long been the case and continues to this very day.”
“This bill is the result of decades of advocacy by First Nations and our Women Water Walkers across Canada, who have long fought not only for the protection of water but to also ensure water and wastewater services for our First Nations meet the same standards as those legislated to other Canadians. While this is an important milestone, enhancements are needed to ensure this legislation fully respects First Nations’ jurisdiction, rights, and self-determination, and meets the unique needs of First Nations across Canada. We remain committed to working with the Government of Canada to strengthen the legislation and expect the Government of Canada to also work closely with First Nations to ensure their perspectives, particularly regarding source water protection, a framework to ensure the certainty and adequacy of funding, and recognition of First Nations’ jurisdiction, are respected, properly co-developed and fully incorporated,” concluded AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
For more information please contact:
Jamie Monastyrski
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(613) 612-7229 (mobile)
[email protected]
Genna Benson
Director, Communications
Assembly of First Nations
(604) 340-3117 (mobile)
[email protected]