Drinking water in First Nations: MPs invited to support C-61

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak are urging MPs from all parties to support the bill to ensure First Nations access to drinking water in their communities.

Bill C-61 also aims to protect water sources on First Nations territories.

Ms. Hajdu indicated that this was the first piece of legislation truly developed jointly by the Canadian government and First Nations, even if some of them do not agree with its wording.

The bill has been under review for months by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, where MPs have heard from chiefs and experts expressing concern that the legislation does not go far enough to protect their rights. They also question the law’s ability to guarantee their communities adequate funding for the maintenance and operation of wastewater treatment plants.

Minister Hajdu hopes that MPs will put aside their partisan differences to get the bill out of committee and back to the House of Commons.

Woodhouse Nepinak believes the federal government and First Nations must work together to ensure the law is passed before the election, calling it a top priority for Indigenous communities.