The Ermineskin Cree Nation says Canada’s capital city had proposed legislation on First Nations having clean, safe water and that it’s not following through on the plan.
A lawsuit was filed in 2014 as part of a joint action with three other First Nations. It was placed in suspension while Ermineskin, with other First Nations, negotiated with Ottawa about how to solve widespread water treatment problems on reserves.
Ermineskin’s water issues have been a bone of contention for decades. The reserve’s water treatment plant was built in the 70’s and over half of the band’s homes have been under water advisories. In 2010, a national investigation of First Nations water found Ermineskin’s water functioned below normal for Canadian drinking water guidelines on a weekly basis, with both health and appearance consequences.
Between 2010 and 2022, people in 500 homes on the reserve south of Edmonton lived with 331 boil-water advisories.
In 2010, a national assessment of First Nations water found Ermineskin’s water failed Canadian drinking water guidelines on a weekly basis, with both health and appearance consequences.
More recently, in a 2022 briefing document, the federal Liberal government acknowledged concerns over “non-recognition of First Nations water rights and governance.”
“We are continuing to work with Nations and regions on innovation, sustainable development and supporting new service arrangements to better meets needs of Nations,” it said.
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