June 2018 update on long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve

From: Indigenous Services Canada

News release

July 3, 2018 - Ottawa, ON - Indigenous Services Canada

The federal government is steadfast in its commitment to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021.

Ongoing investments in water and wastewater infrastructure are helping to lift all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve. Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided an update on the progress made in June 2018.

Four long-term drinking water advisories were successfully lifted in First Nations communities in June:

  • Curve Lake, in Ontario, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on June 6. The advisory affected a Seniors Complex in the community and was lifted following repairs and enhancements to the water treatment system.
  • Miawpukek, in Newfoundland, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on June 13 following repairs to the distribution system and equipment.
  • Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, in Manitoba, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on June 22. The advisory was lifted following upgrades to the water treatment system.
  • Big Island Lake Cree Nation, in Saskatchewan, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on June 25 following an assessment and training to improve operation and monitoring of the water system.

Quotes

“Another four long-term drinking water advisories were lifted in June – 66 lifted in total since November 2015. We remain on track to ending all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021. I encourage all Canadians to follow progress on this commitment at www.canada.ca/water-on-reserve.”

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts

  • Budget 2016 provides $1.8 billion over five years to significantly improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure, ensure proper facility operation and maintenance, and support training of water system operators. In addition, Budget 2016 included $141.7 million over five years in new funding to improve drinking water monitoring and testing on reserve.

  • Budget 2018 provides an additional $172.6 million over three years to help accelerate progress on lifting drinking water advisories and to ensure more infrastructure projects can be completed by 2020 instead of 2021. Budget 2018 also proposes support for repairs to high risk water systems, recruitment, training and retention initiatives, and the establishment of innovative First Nation-led service delivery models.

  • Since November 2015, 66 long-term drinking water advisories (those lasting one year or more) have been lifted from public water systems through the work done in collaboration with First Nation communities and other partners. Additionally, 33 drinking water advisories were added during that same time. ISC is working to address both long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve and drinking water advisories at risk of becoming long-term.

  • There are currently 72 long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve.

Associated links

Contacts

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160

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