AFN Press release
AFN Responds to the National Assessment of First Nation Water and Wastewater System Report
MONCTON, NB, July 14, 2011 /CNW/ - Following today's release of the National Assessment of First Nation Water and Water Systems report, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo repeated his call for federal government to work urgently with First Nations on a concrete action plan that will deliver safe drinking water and improved waste water systems to First Nation citizens.
"The report released today is shocking in that it reveals the quality of drinking water in First Nation communities is even worse than anticipated," said the National Chief. "More than half the water systems our people are using are risky systems. While First Nations have been calling attention to this matter for years, today's report should spark swift and urgent action to ensure the health and safety of our people. Other Canadians would not tolerate this situation in their communities and we must not tolerate it in First Nation communities."
The study was announced in 2009 but the report was only released today. The figures show that the number of high and moderate risk drinking water systems are higher than previously reported by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada. The recent Auditor General's report stated that the safe drinking water problem has actually become worse in First Nation communities over her ten year term. She called for Canada to work with First Nations to address this in a timely manner.
The report indicates that 39% of the drinking water systems in First Nation communities are considered "high risk" and 34% are "moderate risk", which means 71% of the systems pose risk to First Nation citizens.
The National Chief stated: "We want to work with the federal government in partnership, based on standards brought forward in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to ensure that we address this as a priority issue. We have made healthy and safer communities one of our top priorities. We will need to move in a timely manner. Access to water and sanitation is a basic human right. First Nations must be fully engaged in a way that recognizes our rights and responsibilities to ensure the safety of our people."
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
For further information:
Don Kelly, A/Director of Communications, Assembly of First Nations
613-292-2787 or dkelly@afn.ca
Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca
Jenna Young, AFN Communications Officer
613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca
++++++++++
From APTN
Ottawa needs to invest nearly $5 billion in First Nations water and sewage systems over the next 10 years, according to two year-long study released by Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan Thursday.
The government commissioned study, by firm Neegan Burnside, found that the federal government needed to immediately invest about $1.2 billion to raise reserve-based water and sewage systems to standards set by Aboriginal Affairs.
The study found 1,800 reserve homes have no water service and 1,777 homes have no sewage service at all.
Of those with water service, the study found that 39 per cent of 807 reserve systems inspected were classified as posing a “high risk,” meaning they posed a threat to health and safety. These high risk systems serve about 25 per cent of the on-reserve population, the study said.
“Once systems are classified under this category, regions and First Nations must take immediate corrective action to minimize or eliminate deficiencies,” the study said.
The study also found that of the 532 sewage systems inspected, 14 per cent were found to be seriously deficient.
The study concluded that the federal government needed to spend a total of $4.7 billion over the next decade to keep water and waste-water systems up to standard and meet the needs of growing First Nations population.
The dollar figures include costs for construction, training, studies and developing emergency plans.
A total of 571 First Nations were included in the study which began in September 2009.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said the Conservative government would be introducing legislation creating water and sewage regulations for First Nations reserves.
“In the weeks ahead, officials from my department will be meeting with First Nation leaders and other stakeholders,” Duncan told reporters in Saskatoon. “(To go) over the results of the (study), finding ways to move forward together on both responding to the assessment and moving forward with legislation.”
Assembly of First Nations national Chief Shawn Atleo called the report’s findings “shocking” and said it was time for Ottawa to deal with the dire water situation facing First Nations.
“(The report) reveals the quality of drinking water in First Nation communities is even worse than anticipated,” said Atleo, in a statement. “More than half the water systems our people are using are risky systems.”
Duncan released the report in Saskatoon as the AFN was wrapping up its annual general assembly in Moncton.
++++++++++
INAC press release
Minister Duncan Releases National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems Results
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - July 14, 2011) - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, released today the results of the National Assessment of Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nation Communities, the most rigorous, comprehensive and independent evaluation of water and wastewater systems on reserve ever undertaken by a federal government.
The National Assessment surveyed the water and wastewater systems of 97 per cent of First Nation communities in Canada. Site visits in the 571 participating First Nations began in September 2009 and concluded in November 2010. This first ever national and independent assessment provides Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and First Nations with a comprehensive and detailed account of water and wastewater systems on reserves.
"Our government is strongly committed to the health and safety of all Canadians. We are the first government to ever commission a national and independent assessment of this scope," said Minister Duncan. "We have made important and strategic infrastructure investments to support First Nations in operating their water and wastewater systems."
"This report shows that more needs to be done, especially in areas like capacity and monitoring, and that is why our government will continue to work with First Nations and will bring in legislation to support the creation of enforceable standards. This government is committed to working with First Nations, as we have done for the last five years, to address this serious challenge," said Minister Duncan.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with First Nations by investing in infrastructure, monitoring and capacity. Work is underway to address 15 water systems this year. On infrastructure alone, the government plans to invest in an additional 57 water systems by 2015-2016.
In addition, the government will continue to invest in capacity building, which was highlighted in the report as a major challenge to maintaining effective water and wastewater systems. The government invests $10 million a year in the Circuit Rider training program to train and certify First Nation operators and managers. It is critical that operators and managers have the skills and knowledge to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation.
Immediately following the release, AANDC will be working with First Nations, the provinces and territories, and other stakeholders to discuss the National Assessment results and to develop a strategy for future actions and investments.
Information on plans to address the findings and recommendations of the National Assessment and support to First Nations in providing residents access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water can be found on the department's website.
This news release and fact sheets are available on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's website.
