Hajdu, Woodhouse Nepinak urge MPs to drop politics, support First Nations water bill

  • Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu and Assembly of First Nations national chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak are urging MPs across party lines to support legislation to ensure First Nations have clean drinking water in their communities.

Bill C-61 also seeks to protect source-water on First Nations territories, and Hajdu has called it the first piece of truly co-developed legislation between Canada and First Nations even though some First Nations disagree with that framing.

The bill has been before a House of Commons committee for months, where MPs have heard chiefs and experts raise concerns that the legislation does not go far enough to protect their rights. They also question how robust it will be in ensuring their communities receive adequate funding to maintain and operate water treatment plants.

Hajdu says she hopes MPs can put aside "partisan differences" to get the legislation out of committee and back into the House.

Woodhouse Nepinak says Canada and First Nations must work together to ensure the legislation passes before an election, calling it the top priority for First Nations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.