Pikangikum First Nation, a remote Ojibway community in northwestern Ontario, is taking the Government of Canada to Federal Court over its ongoing water crisis. Chief Paddy Peters, who has long been advocating for infrastructure improvements, says his community, with no access to running water in any of its 500 homes, is facing the same challenges it dealt with decades ago. Despite ongoing efforts, including a $700,000 feasibility study and $10.1 million in federal spending on water infrastructure, Pikangikum remains without sufficient clean drinking water or reliable wastewater systems.
Last week, the community declared a state of emergency over its inadequate water treatment plant and filed a legal claim seeking $2 billion in damages along with $200 million for urgent repairs. Peters emphasized the immediate need for action, stating that he doesn’t expect to be alive in 30 years but wants to see safe, clean drinking water for his people before then. The lawsuit also argues that the federal government has violated Pikangikum’s constitutional, Charter, and treaty rights by failing to ensure adequate water and wastewater services.
As part of the broader push for change, First Nations leaders are calling for the First Nations Clean Water Act to be prioritized in Parliament’s first 100 days. The legislation, introduced in December 2023, aims to protect water sources, establish national standards for drinking water and wastewater, and ensure sustainable funding for maintaining water quality on First Nations lands.
Source: Swifteradio.com
