A London-area Indigenous leader says a new federal bill focused on protecting First Nations drinking water could be a positive step, but not without enforceable rights, funding obligations, real source water protection, and First Nation consent-based governance.
Tabled on Tuesday, Bill C-37, or the First Nations Clean Water Act, aims to create a legislative framework to protect drinking water in First Nations communities, and recognize their jurisdiction over water on their lands.
Speaking in Ottawa, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said the bill was backed by $4.6 billion in infrastructure and maintenance funding over five years, and was written to “stand the test of time.”