The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations welcomes the introduction of proposed federal drinking water legislation for First Nations but says it doesn’t properly address fundamental questions between Canada and First Nations.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron explains that source water protection has been accepted as a best practice by all levels of government since 2002, but with this legislation, First Nations would still have to negotiate with the province, which must then agree to any protection plan.

He says, “Of particular concern in this proposed legislation is a section that allows Canada and Provincial and Territorial governments to make agreements regarding First Nations water by themselves. While it says the Minister must consult with First Nations on these agreements, the law does not require First Nations approval of any agreement as it does the provinces on source water.”