Jul 3, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

June 2018 update on long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve

OTTAWA, July 3, 2018 /CNW/ - The federal government is steadfast in its commitment to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021.

Ongoing investments in water and wastewater infrastructure are helping to lift all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve. Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, provided an update on the progress made in June 2018.

Four long-term drinking water advisories were successfully lifted in First Nations communities in June:

    --  Curve Lake, in Ontario, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on
        June 6. The advisory affected a Seniors Complex in the community and was
        lifted following repairs and enhancements to the water treatment system.
    --  Miawpukek, in Newfoundland, lifted a long-term drinking water advisory
        on June 13 following repairs to the distribution system and equipment.
    --  Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, in Manitoba, lifted a long-term drinking
        water advisory on June 22. The advisory was lifted following upgrades to
        the water treatment system.
    --  Big Island Lake Cree Nation, in Saskatchewan, lifted a long-term
        drinking water advisory on June 25 following an assessment and training
        to improve operation and monitoring of the water system.

Quotes

"Another four long-term drinking water advisories were lifted in June - 66 lifted in total since November 2015. We remain on track to ending all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021. I encourage all Canadians to follow progress on this commitment at www.canada.ca/water-on-reserve."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

    --  Budget 2016 provides $1.8 billion over five years to significantly
        improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure, ensure proper
        facility operation and maintenance, and support training of water system
        operators. In addition, Budget 2016 included $141.7 million over five
        years in new funding to improve drinking water monitoring and testing on
        reserve.
    --  Budget 2018 provides an additional $172.6 million over three years to
        help accelerate progress on lifting drinking water advisories and to
        ensure more infrastructure projects can be completed by 2020 instead of
        2021. Budget 2018 also proposes support for repairs to high risk water
        systems, recruitment, training and retention initiatives, and the
        establishment of innovative First Nation-led service delivery models.
    --  Since November 2015, 66 long-term drinking water advisories (those
        lasting one year or more) have been lifted from public water systems
        through the work done in collaboration with First Nation communities and
        other partners. Additionally, 33 drinking water advisories were added
        during that same time. ISC is working to address both long-term drinking
        water advisories affecting public systems on reserve and drinking water
        advisories at risk of becoming long-term.
    --  There are currently 72 long-term drinking water advisories affecting
        public systems on reserve.

Associated Links

    --  Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities
    --  Long-term drinking water advisory lifted at Miawpukek First Nation
    --  Department of Indigenous Services Canada provides update on commitment
        to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve
    --  Lifecycle Process for an Infrastructure project
    --  Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
    --  Budget 2017
    --  Budget 2018

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada