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Water

The Government of Canada is committed to helping ensure First Nations have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

In 2006, the Government implemented a comprehensive strategy to ensure that water and wastewater systems in First Nation communities are effective and that First Nations have access to same quality of water as other Canadians. This long-term strategy is being delivered through:

Investments in Infrastructure

Between 2006 and 2013, the Government of Canada will have invested $2.5 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations. These investments have been made through AANDC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP), and Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP)  .

Between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2010, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) provided approximately $1.25 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure funding to First Nations and First Nation organizations. Investments have been made through AANDC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan (FNWWAP), and Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP)  . These investments are steadily increasing the effectiveness of water services in First Nation communities.

Assessments of First Nation water and wastewater infrastructure and capacity are also necessary to ensure that the proper infrastructure and systems are in place with performance that meets acceptable standards.

In the summer of 2009, the Government of Canada initiated the National Assessment of First Nation Water and Wastewater Systems in order to conduct a detailed assessment of existing public and private water and wastewater facilities operating in First Nation communities across the country. On July 14, 2011, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced the results of the National Assessment, which will enable First Nations and the Department to focus resources on priorities and improve the provision of safe drinking water in First Nation communities.

For more information on AANDC's water and wastewater infrastructure investments, please visit this page.

Enforceable Standards and Protocols

AANDC has established water and wastewater protocols to help ensure that on-reserve residents enjoy comparable standards of health and safety as neighbouring off-reserve residents. Standards are necessary to maintain water quality and to protect the Government's substantial investments in First Nation water and wastewater services. While these protocols and standards are helpful; they are not supported by effective and enforceable regulations.

Bill S-11, the proposed Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was introduced in Parliament in May, 2010. The legislation would have made it possible for the Government of Canada, in collaboration with First Nation communities, to develop enforceable federal regulations intended to address the provision of safe drinking water, effective treatment of wastewater and protect sources of drinking water in First Nation communities. The development of federal regulations that will ensure that First Nations have the same health and safety protection for drinking water in their communities as other Canadians remains a priority of the Government of Canada.

For more information on standards, protocols, please visit this page.

Proposed Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act

The proposed Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was introduced in Parliament on February 29, 2012.

While the spirit of the new proposed legislation is the same as former Bill S-11, the Government has incorporated significant changes to the current bill based on feedback received from First Nations, Senators and Members of Parliament.

This enabling legislation is a vital step towards ensuring First Nations have the same health and safety protections for drinking water as other Canadians.

Subject to the proposed legislation receiving Royal Assessment, this bill will allow the Government to develop, in partnership with First Nations, enforceable federal regulations to ensure access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water; the effective treatment of wastewater; and the protection of sources of water on First Nation lands.

Capacity and Training

AANDC is committed to supporting First Nations in their efforts to build capacity in communities to operate, monitor, and maintain their drinking water systems and wastewater systems. Through initiatives such as the Circuit Rider Training program, the number of First Nations operators who are certified or in-training toward certification is steadily increasing.

For more information on how AANDC helps support First Nations in acquiring training and building capacity, please visit this page.

What Information is Available?

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Date Modified:2012-02-29

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