Bill C-61, the proposed First Nations Clean Water Act, is the next step to ensure First Nations have clean drinking water for generations to come.
It is the result of extensive consultation. In 2013, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act came into effect, but First Nations were already calling for its repeal and replacement. Engagement has been ongoing, and in 2018, the Assembly of First Nations, with support from Canada, led an engagement to review the Act. First Nations shared several concerns.
Bill C-61, introduced in Parliament today, is the result of our commitment to introduce legislation that addresses key priorities and concerns raised by First Nations. Bill C-61 would recognize and affirm the inherent right of First Nations to self-government in relation to water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on, in and under First Nation lands.
It would also establish rights-based regulatory pathways to protect water and source water adjacent to First Nation lands, in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, other federal Ministers, and provinces and territories, to help protect drinking water sources flowing onto First Nation lands.
Bill C-61 would also support the closing of drinking water and wastewater service gaps between First Nations and non-First Nations communities, and operate independently of the Indian Act.
It would also commit the federal government to make best efforts to provide adequate and sustainable funding for water services on First Nation lands. That funding would be required to meet, as a minimum, the commitment expenditures set out in the Settlement Agreement.
Key elements of the Bill include:
- recognition and affirmation of the inherent right of First Nations to self-government, including jurisdiction over water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on, in and under First Nation lands;
- rights-based regulatory pathways to protect water and source water adjacent to First Nation lands, in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, other federal Ministers, and provinces and territories, to help protect drinking water sources flowing onto First Nation lands;
- minimum national standards for the delivery of drinking water and wastewater services on First Nation lands, based on First Nation choice;
- a federal commitment to make best efforts to provide adequate and sustainable funding for water services on First Nation lands comparable to services received in non-First Nations communities;
- a requirement to provide funding that, as a minimum, meets the commitment expenditures set out in section 9.02(2) of the Settlement Agreement;
- a requirement for all decisions made under the proposed Act to be guided by the principle of free, prior and informed consent; and
- a commitment for Canada to support the creation of a First Nations Water Commission that would support First Nations in exercising greater control over drinking water and wastewater services on First Nation lands.
Bill C-61 is aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through federal requirements to consult and cooperate with First Nations on matters in the Bill. In addition, it requires decisions to be guided by the principle of free, prior and informed consent.
The proposed legislation was developed through comprehensive engagement that put First Nation voices at the forefront. Canada worked directly with First Nation rights-holders, including Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations, through their own representative institutions and First Nation organizations, including the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water, to help ensure the Bill is reflective of First Nations needs and priorities.
In addition to the Government of Canada's commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Bill would further require Canada to work with First Nation partners when:
- making and implementing federal funding allocation decisions to support sufficient, predictable, stable, sustainable and needs-based funding for water services on First Nation lands;
- developing federal regulations under the proposed Act;
- supporting the establishment of a First Nations Water Commission;
- supporting First Nation choice in the application of minimum national standards; and
- making best efforts to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for all located on First Nation lands.
Timeline of key events:
July 2023
