Lawyers say language change in First Nations water bill looks to shield government
The bill would fund water services and let First Nations sign agreements with governments, but leaders say it weakens explicit rights protections.
- On Tuesday, the federal government tabled Bill C-37, the First Nations Clean Water Act, establishing frameworks for sustainable funding and intergovernmental agreements to protect water near First Nations lands.
- Previous efforts stalled when Bill C-61 died on the order paper in 2023, fueling skepticism among leaders like Neskantaga First Nation Chief Gary Quisess regarding whether current measures will yield concrete results.
- Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck and The COO caution the bill shifts operational responsibility to communities without guaranteed capacity, urging sustainable funding and explicit recognition of rights rather than treating them as optional.
- Conservative MP Billy Morin criticized the government for missing deadlines, noting 38 drinking water advisories remain active in 2026; Parliament's recess delays debate until the fall.
- Lawyer Michael Rosenberg, representing 260 First Nations from a 2021 class-action settlement, stated the bill formalizes existing contractual obligations, providing a mechanism to enforce federal commitments and secure long-term investment.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Neskantaga First Nation not ‘optimistic’ about federal government’s new water legislation
The chief of the First Nation with the longest ongoing water issue in the country says he’ll remain skeptical of the federal government’s clean water act until he sees something concrete happen. Neskantaga First Nation Chief Gary Quisess’s community in northern Ontario has been under a boil water advisory since the mid-1990s. He said he will remain skeptical until the federal government actually meets its water commitments to First Nations. “I’m…
Local chiefs call new drinking water bill a step forward, remain cautious about rollout
Indigenous leaders in eastern Ontario and western Quebec are expressing cautious optimism over the First Nations Clean Water Act, a federal bill tabled Tuesday that promises legally enforceable protections for clean drinking water.
The Toronto Star
Lawyers say language change in First Nations water bill looks to shield government
Two lawyers say the blurring of language on the right of First Nations to clean drinking water in a new bill serves as a shield for the federal government as
Water Is a Relative, Not a Resource
Rethinking clean water in First Nations through the sovereignty and rights of water itself. This month, Canada tabled a new version of its First Nations clean-water legislation, and the shift in its language is quietly telling. The previous bill, C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, contained something notable for a Canadian statute: it “recognized and affirmed” that it is a human right of every individual on First Nations land to have acce…
Northern NDP MPPs call for collaboration and consultation to strengthen Canada’s First Nation water legislation
Language English News Content: Northern NDP MPPs call for collaboration and consultation to strengthen Canada’s First Nation water legislation SIOUX LOOKOUT - Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) and MPP Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk – James Bay) are urging the Prime Minister to change course on the new long-awaited new legislation tabled yesterday, Bill C-37, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infr…
Ottawa introduces Indigenous clean water legislation
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The federal government has introduced Bill C-37 in the House of Commons to address the national Indigenous clean drinking water crisis. Minister of Indigenous Services Canada Mandy Gull-Masty introduced the legislation, describing it as an important step toward resolving the clean drinking water crisis. “This is a time for action, with First Nations guiding the way,” Gull-Ma…
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