The Government of Canada is firmly committed to improving reliable access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities.
On December 22, 2021, the Federal Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba issued a joint decision approving an agreement to settle class-action litigation related to safe drinking water in First Nations communities. An appeals period of approximately 60 days will follow the courts’ approval of the settlement agreement.
The parties welcome the courts’ approval of their settlement agreement, and they look forward to implementing this historic settlement once the appeal period concludes.
The class actions are led by representative plaintiffs Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Neskantaga First Nation.
The terms of the settlement agreement were previously announced on July 30, 2021, and include the following:
- $1.5 billion in compensation for individuals deprived of clean drinking water
- the creation of a $400 million First Nation Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund
- a renewed commitment to Canada’s Action Plan for the lifting of all long-term drinking water advisories
- the creation of a First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water
- support for First Nations to develop their own safe drinking water by-laws and initiatives
- a commitment of at least $6 billion to support reliable access to safe drinking water on reserves
- the planned modernization of Canada’s First Nations drinking water legislation
The Government of Canada will continue to work with all First Nations, including Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Neskantaga First Nation, to address water concerns. Together, we will develop sustainable, long-term solutions so that future generations do not have to worry about the safety of their drinking water
