Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
July 14, 2011
Check against delivery
Thanks very much everyone for coming out today.
As some of you may know, I toured two state-of-the art First Nation water treatment plants here in Saskatchewan. Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the official opening of the PIE-A-POT First Nation's water treatment plant and today I toured Whitecap Dakota First Nation's nearly completed major expansion and upgrade of their water treatment plant. My congratulations to both Chief Jeremy Fourhourns of PIE-A-POT First Nation and Chief Darcy Bear of Whitecap Dakota First Nation for their excellent leadership in bringing these important projects to or near completion.
These state-of-the-art facilities are key examples of the value of partnership and working together to address issues of shared concern such as access to safe drinking water. These investments are also part of our Government's ongoing commitment to work with First Nations to improve water and wastewater systems on reserve across the country.
Since 2006, our Government has made important and strategic infrastructure investments to support First Nations in operating their water and wastewater systems. These investments have supported significant progress, however access to clean and safe water remains a serious concern. Our Government is strongly committed to the health and safety of all Canadians. That is why I am here today.
I am releasing the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems — a comprehensive, independent, third-party evaluation. We are the first government to ever commission a national assessment of this kind.
The size and scope of the assessment are unprecedented — more than 4,000 on-reserve water, wastewater, well and septic systems were rated against an extensive set of criteria.
The rating is based on the overall system management risk. It looks at whether a system's design or mechanical features are up to modern standards, for example. Or if operators are fully certified.
The report gives us a more complete picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead. It also shows that more needs to be done, especially in areas like capacity and monitoring. That is why this Government has and will continue to work toward introducing legislation which will support the creation of enforceable standards. Right now, the Government has in place water and wastewater protocols. They do help to ensure that people on reserve have access to safe water; but these protocols are not effective if they are not linked to enforceable regulations.
My office and my department have been engaging and dialoguing with First Nations on this issue and I will re-introduce in the next Parliament session, water legislation which is designed to give the same protection to First Nations that other Canadians have. This type of legislation would make it possible for our Government to work with First Nation communities to develop enforceable federal regulations – regulations that will address the provision of safe drinking water, effective treatment of wastewater, and protect sources of drinking water in First Nation communities.
In addition, our Government will continue to support stronger capacity to ensure that First Nations water and wastewater systems are operating efficiently and effectively.
Our Government continues to invest $10 million a year in the Circuit Rider Training program to train and certify First Nation operators and managers. We recognize that it is critical that operators and managers have the skills and knowledge to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation. A clear example of the value of this program is right here in Saskatchewan. As a result of an aggressive and effective program that facilitates the certification of First Nation water and wastewater operators, you will see that Saskatchewan's operator risk assessment is very positive. Moving forward, we plan to restructure the overall program nationally to improve operator capacity across the country.
Most importantly, I believe that this report also underscores the need for partnerships as well as new technologies. This work is already underway. Last week, for example, we committed $5 million to the Canada-Ontario First Nations Pilot to Improve Drinking Water Quality – a new joint three-year initiative between the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation and the Province of Ontario to harness innovative and alternative technologies.
Ideally, solutions like those found in the Ontario pilot will help First Nations across the country.
Working with partners is the key to making progress and our Government is strongly committed to working with First Nations, as we have done for the past five years, to address this serious challenge.
That is why, in the weeks ahead, officials from my Department will be meeting with First Nation leaders and other stakeholders; going over the results of the National Assessment; finding ways to move forward together on both responding to the assessment and moving forward with legislation.
This approach is in keeping with the Canada – First Nations Joint Action Plan that the Assembly of First Nation National Chief Shawn Atleo and I announced just a few weeks ago.
I believe this national assessment is an unprecedented, but very necessary reference tool to support improved access to safe drinking water on reserve.
Our Government is committed to moving forward with our First Nation and other partners to make water and wastewater solutions a reality.
I look forward to continuing to work with First Nations and with other partners to take strong action on this important issue.
Thank you.
