Marc Miller, minister of Indigenous services, provided the department’s monthly progress update on drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserves.
“We are determined to take the necessary steps towards improving the health and well-being of Indigenous people across the country,” said Marc Miller, minister of Indigenous services. “As part of this commitment, we continue to work in partnership with First Nations communities to improve access to clean, safe drinking water by supporting them to build, repair, and upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure that will ensure clean drinking water is accessible to all.”
In January 2020, one long-term drinking water advisory was lifted, one short-term advisory was lifted, and one drinking water advisory became long-term.
Lac Seul First Nation (Ontario) lifted a long-term drinking water advisory from the Kejick Bay water treatment plant on January 7, 2020. The drinking water advisory, in effect since February 2003, was lifted after the completion of a new water treatment plant in the community.
James Smith Cree Nation (Saskatchewan) lifted a short-term drinking water advisory from the James Smith Public Water System on January 10, 2020. The advisory, in effect since September 16, 2019, was lifted after membranes on the water filtration system were changed and normal operations were restored.
A drinking water advisory that was put in place in January 2019 in Chippewas of Nawash First Nation (Ontario) became long-term on January 21, 2020. A drinking water advisory becomes long-term when it has been in place for more than a year. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is currently working with the First Nation toward development of a new water treatment plant.
Working in collaboration with First Nations, the Government of Canada has committed to ending all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves by March 2021.
The most recent updates on drinking water advisories are available here.
