Reserve Water Legislation Questioned

Reserve Water Legislation Questioned

Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 13:01

Some concerns are already being raised about the federal government’s proposed new legislation for drinking water on reserves.

Angus Toulouse, the regional chief of Ontario for the Assembly of First Nations, says he worries communities will not have the capacity to deal with demands once the legislation is in place.

Speaking to the Canwest News Service, Toulouse says measures in the bill would be legally demanding of First Nations leadership, while at the same time failing to address any of the root problems behind poor drinking water.

The federal government has already said Bill S-11 is designed to bring drinking water standards on reserves in line with the rest of Canada.

Indian Affairs spokeswoman Margot Geduld says regulations around enforcement still have to be hammered out, and that will be done after consultations with First Nations.

Bill S-11 was introduced in the House of Commons yesterday, and still has to pass through Parliament.