Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine responded in late-September 2005 to the Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development that found many First Nations communities remain exposed to risks from unsafe drinking water.

"It is completely unacceptable that our people on reserves are taking a risk every time they turn on the tap," said National Chief Fontaine. "I have already spoken to the Minister of Indian Affairs. We are going to take urgent action across the entire system to ensure First Nations communities have safe drinking water. This is nothing less than a major, national public health issue."

The report notes that the problems in the current system range from the lack of technical capacity and training in First Nations communities to absent or poorly maintained infrastructure systems. One of the underlying problems is the lack of any federal laws or regulatory framework to ensure the provision of safe drinking water. As a result, First Nations do not have the same level of protection as the rest of Canada.

"More resources are urgently needed to address areas of critical risk, but sustainable solutions are also required to address the root problems," said the National Chief. "We agree with the report's recommendation, which was also made by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1996, that we create a First Nations institute or institutions that will ensure we can streamline and consolidate water-related programs and services. We also need to clarify jurisdictional issues so we know who is responsible for what, and ensure that all First Nations communities have the necessary infrastructure, equipment and training to provide our people with clean drinking water. As well, we need more than end of pipe solutions - we must protect our drinking water at the source."

Federal assessments in 1995 indicated that about 25% of all First Nations' water systems were at "high risk" to contamination and pose a "high risk" to human health. A similar assessment in 2003 found almost 30% of systems were at high risk, indicating that the situation is getting worse. Currently, more than 100 First Nations communities are under "boil water" advisories.

"If these conditions were being experienced by the general population there would be a national outcry and an immediate response," said the National Chief. "The tragedy at Walkerton should have sparked action across the entire system, yet it appears there are still hundreds of potential Walkertons across the country in First Nations communities.

Canada is not a poor country and these conditions should not be allowed to fester in our communities. There are moral, political and legal reasons that compel the government to work with First Nations on a new approach to safe drinking water. I will be meeting with the Minister of Indian Affairs immediately so that we can move quickly on urgent action and long-term solutions. Ultimately, we will need to examine whether First Nations have the support necessary to deal with other public health threats."
 
(By Canadian Health Staff, Etaiwan News, 18/11/2008)