Chiefs say delaying introduction of First Nations clean water bill ‘unacceptable’

Chiefs in Ontario are condemning the federal government’s delay in introducing a bill to ensure safe drinking water, amid concerns Canada is seeking to weaken the proposed legislation before it is introduced.

Less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his minority Liberal government plans to introduce a successor to Bill C-61, First Nations leaders outlined their fears at a news conference on Parliament Hill on Wednesday morning. First Nations Clean Water ActIn autumn.

Bill C-61 died when the previous Liberal government suspended Parliament earlier this year, and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda DeBasis says it’s unacceptable it still hasn’t been revived. anishinaabek nation Advocates for 39 First Nations across Ontario.

“First Nations have waited too long. Municipalities, towns and cities don’t need to wait that long under water advisories,” he said during a press conference.

“We have also heard that Canada intends to amend the law, potentially weakening it. This is completely unacceptable.”

The original bill affirmed First Nations’ human right to safe water and ensured their right to self-governance over the water in their territories. DeBasis said there are rumors that the Liberals are considering, for example, removing protections for freshwater sources, among other things.

He said First Nations leaders have not received any confirmation that the new bill will also recognize clean water as a human right.

He said, “We have no assurances. We have had no conversations. This issue related to the amendments is being heard from across the country to British Columbia.”

“Everyone shares the concerns, recognizing that this piece of legislation is not perfect. But it is a step in the right direction.”

The Alberta and Ontario governments previously urged Ottawa to drop the bill, arguing it would weaken competitiveness and delay project development.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gul-Musty was not made available for an interview, but said in a statement that ensuring communities have clean water is “a top priority for me and our government.”

“We are working carefully to ensure that the law is strong, effective and reflects the needs of communities. I am honored to continue driving this important work forward together,” she said.

Carney’s comments ‘disappointing’

DeBasis was joined at the news conference by Ontario’s three premiers, Where Indigenous Services Canada says 38 communities are currently under some form of drinking water advisory. That means nearly a third of all First Nations people in the province are afraid to drink what comes from their taps.

A new law is a legal requirement under the 2021 class-action settlement, and the lack of answers about that settlement creates uncertainty, frustration and deep anxiety among families, said Shelley Moore-Frappier, chief of the Temi-Augama Anishnaabai, or Temagami First Nation.

During the press conference, Moore-Frappier joined a growing chorus of leaders expressing frustration with the Carney government’s acceleration of major projects and resource extraction, but urged First Nations to wait patiently for action to be taken on their concerns.

“They are bringing this law in a hurry when it comes to trampling our rights in the name of national interest. Yet we are still living without basic human rights like clean water,” he told reporters.

“It’s unfathomable, and it’s actually quite astonishing. It really is when you see it.”

Carney made the announcement about the clean water legislation at the annual December meeting of the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa, where hundreds of delegates have gathered this week to set policy priorities.

The Prime Minister also told chiefs he plans to host a joint First Ministers’ meeting with First Nations early in the new year, where “you will set the agenda” and where water will be a potential topic for discussion.

Chief Gary Quices of the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario joined other chiefs at the press conference, where he expressed disappointment at Carney’s words.

Neskantauga in northern Ontario has been under a boil water advisory for 30 years. Quisas provided crude photos to CBC Indigenous Water and wounds on the skin of children, are examples of the hardships endured by members of the community during that period.

Quises was the first to come to the microphone Tuesday afternoon to ask Carney a question, but the meeting chair hung up on him as his allotted two minutes expired.

“I felt like I couldn’t get anywhere with my voice. From the Prime Minister, I didn’t get any clear answers… Will I live with seething advice for another decade?” Quices reflected on Wednesday.

In response, the Prime Minister acknowledged Canada’s “failure” to lift all long-term boil water advisories, but Quisas was left unconvinced.

He said, “It was disappointing. I have come a long way to speak here and address the issues. I was given two minutes to speak.”

“And here the Prime Minister spoke for almost half an hour, not listening to the concerns of First Nations people.”