Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act: Engagement 2017 to 2018
From Indigenous Services Canada
From Health Canada
Current status: Closed
The engagement started on May 29, 2017 and ended on March 22, 2018.
On this page
Why
All Canadians should have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), with the support of Health Canada, will work with regional and national First Nation groups to:
- address their concerns regarding the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
- decide on a course of action, with respect to the shared objective of ensuring safe drinking water for the residents of First Nations communities
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and ISC officials are also collaborating to design a national engagement process led and conceptualized by the AFN with the support of the department. Further details about new engagement sessions will be posted when available.
First Nations are invited to share their views on the act, and to clearly identify priorities going forward regarding safe drinking water and wastewater treatment on First Nation lands.
Who
The Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations will engage with:
- national and regional First Nation representative organizations
- First Nation technical groups
- First Nation communities and other interested parties
What
While provinces and territories each have their own legally binding safe drinking water standards, First Nations communities do not have comparable legally-enforceable protections. To address this issue, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act came into force on November 1, 2013, and allowed for the development of regulations to ensure access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water and effective treatment of wastewater on First Nation lands.
This engagement will be used to help find long-term actions to ensure safe drinking water for residents of First Nations communities. Summaries of what we heard at the regional meetings will be posted online.
How to participate
There are three ways to participate:
- Attend a regional meeting (for First Nation representative organizations, First Nation technical groups and First Nation communities—by invitation only).
- Send your comments and suggestions by e-mail to aadnc.proprepnh2o-cleanfnh2o.aandc@canada.ca.
- Send comments and suggestions by mail to the address in the contact us section below.
When and where
Dates and locations of upcoming meetings will be posted as they are confirmed.
| Date | Location | Activity / Event | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2017 | Prince George, BC | Regional discussion session on review of the act | Chiefs and technical authorities |
| June 22, 2017 | Richmond, BC | Regional discussion session on review of the act | Chiefs and technical authorities |
| October 5, 2017 | Miramichi, NB | Regional discussion session on review of the act | Chiefs and technical authorities |
| March 21 and 22, 2018 | Dartmouth, NS | Regional discussion session on review of the act | Chiefs and technical authorities |
What we heard
Summaries of meetings will be posted as soon as they are available.
Related information
Contact us
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
10 rue Wellington,
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4