Trudeau: Time to End Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations

  • by: The Council of Canadians
  • recipient: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Indigenous Services, and your MP
In 2010, the United Nations declared water a human right. But many First Nations lack access to safe, clean drinking water. In May 2018, there were 174 drinking water advisories in more than 100 First Nations. Many are recurring, and some advisories have been in place for more than 20 years.

The Canadian government just conceded it won't be able to keep its promise to end the drinking water crisis in First Nations in 2021. While it has made a new promise of federal funding, it is still only a promise.  

The lack of access to safe drinking water in First Nations is not only a violation of Indigenous people's rights, it is a public health crisis.

Health care officials have stated over and over again that washing your hands is a critically important step to manage the spread of COVID-19 — and access to clean water is essential for doing so safely. The pandemic is not an excuse to delay acting on this promise, the pandemic adds urgency to the need for swift action to fix this.

Take action today to call on the federal government to fulfill their promise made in 2015 to put an end to all long-term drinking water advisories in all First Nations.
Dear [recipient name will go here], [recipient position will go here],

I call on you to fulfill the promise you made in 2015 that your government would put an end to all long-term drinking water advisories in all First Nations.

In 2010, the United Nations declared water a human right. But many First Nations lack access to safe, clean drinking water. In May 2018, there were 174 drinking water advisories in more than 100 First Nations. Many are recurring, and some advisories have been in place for more than 20 years.

You just conceded you won't be able to keep your promise to end the drinking water crisis in First Nations in 2021. While your new promise of federal funding is welcome, it is still only a promise.  

The lack of access to safe drinking water in First Nations is not only a violation of Indigenous people's rights, it is a public health crisis.

Health care officials have stated over and over again that washing your hands is a critically important step to manage the spread of COVID-19 — and access to clean water is essential for doing so safely. The pandemic is not an excuse to delay acting on this promise, the pandemic adds urgency to the need for swift action to fix this.

I urge the federal government to declare this public health crisis an emergency and to act immediately with provincial officials to rectify it. Any solution must recognize Indigenous peoples' right to free, prior and informed consent and their right to self-determination.

Drinking water must be publicly controlled and not delivered through a public-private partnership that will result in the privatization of water, a loss of community control and jobs, and risk further violations of the human right to water

I call on the federal government to work with Indigenous peoples to invest in publicly funded and managed water and wastewater infrastructure and put an end to drinking water advisories in First Nations for good.

[Your comment here]

Sincerely,

[Your name here]
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