Government of Canada Taps Collaborative Approach for new Water Supply for B.C. Indigenous communities

From: Parks Canada

News release

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and local First Nation to share benefits of new water system

August 20, 2018                                                          Ucluelet, British Columbia                                          Parks Canada Agency

National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer. Parks Canada protects and presents these treasures because they tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, joined Chief Moses Martin of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to announce the completion of a new water system and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to supply water to both Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the Tla-o-qui-aht communities of Esowista and Ty-Histanis.

Parks Canada partnered with Indigenous Services to complete this important project, providing $5 million in funding for the new water system. With the delivery of the new system, the two Tla-o-qui-aht communities will have access to a better and safer water source that no longer requires heavy treatment and that can support the needs of the growing communities. Trucking water to reservoirs will no longer be needed, and the new system will meet both current and future needs of visitors to the national park reserve.

Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada. As well, the Government of Canada invested a historic $1.8 billion through Budget 2016 to address health and safety needs and important water and wastewater infrastructure issues in First Nation communities.

Quotes

“Parks Canada is pleased to have partnered with Indigenous Services and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to build a new water supply system. This system – which will ensure access to clean and safe water – will support both Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for years to come.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“Our Government is committed to ensuring First Nations have access to clean, safe drinking water. I am pleased that Indigenous Services and Parks Canada have worked collaboratively to ensure that current and future water needs can be met for both Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and visitors to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.”

The Honourable Jane Philpott,
Minister of Indigenous Services

“Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations are proud of this achievement with our partners at Indigenous Services and Parks Canada. The effort to collaborate to ensure that future generations enjoy safe, potable drinking water for both personal use and for the future growth of the Nation is a momentous step forward. We are particularly happy that this project will be providing safe drinking water to the many visitors of the Park which is situated within the Ha’houlthee (ancestral lands) of our traditional leadership, the Ha’wiih (Chiefs). This partnership continues as the Nation will be providing the services of a certified water operator whose credentials are up to the standards of the entire water system from the source to the end users.” 

Chief Moses Martin,
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Quick facts

  • The water system consists of two new wells, a chlorination system, and new waterlines to distribute water in the Long Beach Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and to the communities of Esowista and Ty-Histanis.

  • Parks Canada consults with the Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nations on the management of the Long Beach Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and works with the Nations to identify short and long term economic benefits, and develop and offer Indigenous visitor experiences in the national park reserve.

  • Working together with more than 300 Indigenous communities across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. Together, we invite Canadians to visit Parks Canada’s places, like Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, to experience Indigenous cultures, traditions, and customs first-hand.

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Contacts

Caroline Thériault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
caroline.theriault2@canada.ca


Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca


Andrew MacKendrick
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
613-769-7066


Media Relations
Indigenous Services
819-953-1160

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