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The First Nation Water Management Strategy was developed 2003 as a result of studies done Nation wide on the state of First Nation Water and Wastewater. The Federal Government allocated $600 million over five years to ensure the safety of water supplies in First Nation communities. Indian and Northern Affairs, Health Canada and recently Environment Canada have been tasked with implementation of the First Nation Water Management Strategy.
In 2005, the Auditor General’s Report on Drinking Water in First Nation Communities was released. It was noted in the report that Drinking water systems in First Nation communities continue to be a risk in quality and safety of drinking water. Also the technical support available to First Nations to support and develop their capacity to deliver safe drinking water is fragmented. Both INAC and Health Canada have been trying to address the following since 1995:
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities;
- building and upgrading water systems to standards;
- improving operation and maintenance;
- providing operator training; and
- Expanding water testing.
Recently, The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs announced the protocol for Safe Drinking Water for First Nation Communities. The protocols are meant to be the first step in providing safe drinking water in First Nations communities. These protocols are to be included within First Nation Funding Agreements. At the Same time, the Minister also announced the establishment of a Panel of Experts to travel across Canada between now and end of August, 2006 on a possible development of a regulatory framework/regime.
Both the Protocols for Safe Drinking and developing a Regulatory Framework/Regime on Water is the first step in ensuring clean drinking water, but it does not address the current condition. The current condition is not the standards or a legislated regulatory regime, rather it is the 5 areas mentioned within the Auditor General’s Report as areas that INAC and HC have been trying to address since 1995. Developing a Regulatory Framework/Regime on Water will not deal with the current situation; rather it will only address the regulatory gaps.
Adapting Water Management in First Nations Communities to Climate Change...read more.
Source Water Protection Recommendations Joint Initiative Between APC and EC...read more.
Auditor Generals’ Report on Report on Drinking Water in FN Drinking Water in FN Communities On Reserve Liaison Housing Committee October 12 & 13, 2005...read more.
EC’s Contribution to the First Nations Water Management Strategy...read more.
Commissioner of Enviroment and Sustainable Development 2005...read more.
APC All Chiefs Resolution was passed on June 7, 2005 supporting the joint initiative between Atlantic Policy Congress and Environment to “Research and Analysis of the First Nation Water Strategy and Sources Water Protection issues in First Nation Communities in the Atlantic .”
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