3 minute read
EDITORIAL
Editorial
Of all the countries in the world, Canada has the largest supply of fresh water. Having clean water is something most Canadians take for granted.
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If you live in one of dozens of First
Nations communities that live with long-term water advisories, however, it’s more like the line in the famous poem, The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner, by Samuel Coleridge Taylor:
“Water, water everywhere / nor any drop to drink.”
When Justin Trudeau was leading his first election campaign as federal
Liberal leader back in 2015, he raised hopes in First Nations communities by solemnly promising that none would be under a water advisory by
March 2021.
After years of inaction amid wors ening conditions by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper, it was like finding a lake in a desert after nearly dying of thirst. Unfortunately, that lake turned out to be a mirage, as it’s painfully obvious that Trudeau’s promise is nowhere near being met.
Eight months away from Trudeau’s own deadline, people in 61 First
Nations communities still cannot drink the water that comes out of their taps.
We now know that this was a choice by his government. Funds to the tune of $2 billion were allocated in the 2016 federal budget to address the water-quality problem, but to date two-thirds of the fund is still sit ting in government accounts. And in 2018, former Indigenous Services
Water
wars
by Will Nicholls
Minister Jane Philpot promised that an additional $4 billion earmarked for Indigenous infrastructure could be tapped to honour the Liberal promise.
Tired of listening to empty words, three First Nations in Manitoba hired lawyers and went to court. On July 21, Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal ruled that their legal challenge can proceed as a class action suit. This means that any First Nations community in Canada that has been under a water advisory that lasted at least a year at any point from November 8, 1995, to present can join in.
The lawsuit is seeking $1 billion in damages for the breach of Charter rights, $1 billion for negligence of fiduciary duty and $100 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit aims to have the government immediate ly construct appropriate water systems for the class members or fund and approve the construction of the water systems.
The lawsuit claims that Canada has violated the Charter of Rights for decades by failing to provide clean and safe drinking water for First Nations peoples. As lawyer Michael Rosenburg observed, “Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right.” That is a truth that is self-evi dent and one that continues to be ignored by the Canadian government.
The court decision is encourag ing but what does it really mean? The case will take on other First Nations with a few exceptions. There are five First Nations who are currently in court looking for clean drinking water for their members. Because these are active cases, they will not be allowed to join the class action suit.
As for those who can join, each new class member will be adding reams of paper detailing their situ ation. That will mean the court will have to take time to ensure the validi ty of their claims. We can expect government lawyers will be contesting every comma and colon in the written submissions.
Whether Liberal or Conservative, Canadian governments have made a tradition of fighting to the bitter end every attempt by First Nations to enjoy the same quality of life that Canadians take for granted. Such as the ability to drink a glass of tap water.
the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications EDITORIAL BOARD L. Stewart, W. Nicholls, M. Siberok, Mr. N. Diamond, E. Webb EDITOR IN CHIEF Will Nicholls DIRECTOR OF FINANCES Linda Ludwick EDITORS Lyle Stewart, Martin Siberok PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AND MANAGING EDITOR Dan Isaac CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X. Kataquapit, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse, Melissa Juliette THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation, 4529 CLARK, #403, Montreal, QC., H2T 2T3 EDITORIAL & ADS: Tel.: 514-272-3077, Fax: 514-278-9914 HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 151, Chisasibi, QC. J0M 1E0 www.nationnews.ca EDITORIAL: will@nationnews.ca news@ nationnews.ca ADS: Danielle Valade: ads@nationnews.ca; Donna Malthouse: donna@beesum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: $60 plus taxes, US: $90, Abroad: $110, Payable to beesum communications, all rights reserved, publication mail #40015005, issn #1206-2642 The Nation is a member of: The James Bay Cree Communications Society, Circle Of Aboriginal Controlled Publishers, Magazines Canada Quebec Community Newspaper Assn. Canadian Newspapers Assn. Les Hebdos Sélect Du Québec. Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. | www.nationnews.ca |
