Yesterday, Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, visited Kehewin Cree Nation and congratulated Chief Brenda Vanguard and the entire community on the official sod turning for their new water treatment system.
“I thank the current Liberal government, for their commitment on making this day a reality. Our members have been patiently waiting for something as simple as clean water for too long,” said Chief Brenda Vanguard, Kehewin Cree Nation. “Our community has been on a boiled-water advisory for more than 11 years and the old treatment plant is no longer a viable option.”
The new water treatment system is critical to the community’s efforts to lift their long-term drinking water advisory.
“So today marks the first step in a longer journey of partnership and a moment of renewed relationships. I look forward to ongoing, productive, and fruitful partnerships with the Canadian, Provincial and local governments,” said Chief Vanguard.
Congrats to Chief Vanguard and #Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6 Territory, AB) on their sod-turning event, marking the start of construction on the community’s new water treatment centre that will help lift their long-term drinking water advisory. #FNinfra https://t.co/OzTcjuS2ok pic.twitter.com/LKAPGdwh63
— Minister Jane Philpott (@Min_IndServ) August 27, 2018
Indigenous Services Canada has invested $13.9 million to support construction of the new facility with the goal of lifting the long-term drinking water advisory by March 2020.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Chief Vanguard, and the entire Kehewin Cree Nation community on the sod turning of their new water treatment system,” said Minister Philpott. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to building critical infrastructure, and improving access to safe and reliable drinking water for First Nation communities across the country.”
Kehewin Cree Nation is located 31 kilometres southwest of Bonnyville, Alberta and 235 kilometres east of Edmonton, Alberta. The community has a population of over 1100 people on reserve.
