SPEAKING NOTES

FOR THE HONOURABLE JIM PRENTICE, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
and
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Announcement:
Water Funding for Four Treaty No. 9 Communities

Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Check against delivery

 

It is a pleasure to be with you today, to talk about an important priority for Canada’s New Government.

About a year ago, there was an agreement among First Nations and the Federal Government to collaborate on efforts to take appropriate action on the issue of drinking water on reserves in Canada.

In March 2006, I announced, on behalf of Canada’s New Government, a Plan of Action on First Nations Drinking Water. The Plan included:

• implementation of the Protocol for Safe Drinking Water for First Nation communities, which contained standards for design, construction, operation and maintenance of First Nations drinking water systems;
• mandatory training and certification measures;
• remedial plans for 21 First Nation communities whose water systems were most at risk, and action on all high risk systems;
• creation of a three-person Expert Panel on Safe Drinking Water for First Nations to examine and report on the options for a legislative and regulatory framework to govern First Nations drinking water; and
• regular reporting.

Since the introduction of the Plan of Action, significant progress has been made.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has been working in partnership with Health Canada, Environment Canada, and First Nations to make advances on all five elements in the Plan of Action.

In the past year, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of communities with communal water systems most at risk of waterborne health hazards. These have dropped from 193 communities to 97.

I also appointed an Expert Panel on Safe Drinking Water for First Nations, comprised of Mr. Harry Swain, Grand Chief Stan Louttit, and Dr. Steve Hrudey. Its task was to examine options for a legislative and regulatory framework for First Nation communities.

From June to August 2006, the Panel held hearings in nine locations across Canada to engage with First Nations and other stakeholders. The Expert Panel ’s report will assist me in determining the appropriate regulatory framework for drinking water in First Nation communities.

Canada’s New Government recognizes that each community is unique and solutions must be tailored to meet the needs of individual communities.

Today, I’m pleased to announce that Canada’s New Government is providing $12.8 million dollars to improve water infrastructure in four Treaty No. 9 communities:

• approximately $8.9 million for a new water treatment plant at Kee-way-win First Nation (a community with water at risk of waterborne health hazards);
• about $2 million to Fort Albany First Nation for upgrades to the community’s water treatment system;
• approximately $1.1 million towards a water treatment plant repair project at Attawapiskat First Nation; and
• close to $800,000 to Moose Cree First Nation for repairs and upgrades to the Moose Factory water treatment plant.

Once completed, these projects will assist the First Nations in the delivery of an adequate supply of safe and clean drinking water to community residents. These projects will, and do, make a difference in the everyday lives of First Nations people.

Today’s announcement is a good example of how we are continuing to work in partnership with First Nations, day-by-day, to complete the work required on this important priority. Canada’s New Government is, and will continue to be, committed to helping First Nations in the provision of safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

I’d like to thank everyone once again for your kind attention today, and I wish these communities much success with their water projects.