May 2018 Update on Long-term Drinking Water Advisories on Public Systems on Reserve

From: Indigenous Services Canada

June 4, 2018 – Ottawa, ON – Indigenous Services Canada

The federal government remains 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. The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided an update on the progress made in May 2018.

One long-term advisory was successfully lifted:

• Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on May 2

Additionally, two short-term advisories that were at-risk of becoming long-term were successfully lifted:

• Ojibway Nation of Saugeen in Ontario lifted a short-term advisory on May 1; and
• Sandy Bay First Nation in Manitoba lifted a short-term advisory on May 2

Finally, one drinking water advisory on a public system became long-term in May. Indigenous Services Canada is working with Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Manitoba to study the water source, upgrade the water treatment system and ultimately restore safe drinking water to the community.

Quotes

“Sixty-two long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted since November 2015. With almost $2 billion committed in Budgets 2016 & 2018, every remaining long-term advisory on public systems on reserve has work underway as we remain steadfast in and on track to lifting all by March of 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 proposes 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, 62 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 76 long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve.

Associated links

• Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities
• Department of Indigenous Services Canada provides update on commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve
• Lifecycle Process for an Infrastructure project
• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Budget 2017
• Budget 2018

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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