The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is asking the federal government to repeal the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act.
The act was introduced in 2013 by the Harper Government as a way to ensure First Nations across Canada could have access to clean water.
The current federal government as well as INAC are reviewing the act, but there is no indication when the process will be complete.
FSIN Vice-Chief Kimberly Jonathan says the act was passed into law without the consultation of indigenous people.
“The previous government didn’t allow for engagement or any collaborative initiative with indigenous people, with the province or with the feds it was just told to us as this is how it is,” says Jonathan. “So now we see an opportunity to fix that.”
Vice-Chief Jonathan says there are numerous issues with the current act. She says it places the responsibility of the water treatment plants on community leadership with no provision for funding.
According to the FSIN, on-reserve water treatment plant operators get paid 20 to 30 per cent less than they would in neighbouring municipalities.
Vice-Chief Jonathan says operators are then lured off-reserve by the more “appropriate” pay in other locations.
“We need to create a system the treats on-reserve water treatment plant operators like the technicians that they are,” says Jonathan.
Vice-Chief Jonathan made the comments at an FSIN water regulations development forum taking place Wednesday and Thursday in Saskatoon.
“Let’s take this opportunity over the next few days to learn about what’s happening with drinking water regulations and the protection of source water, provide recommendations for what should replace the Safe Drinking Water Act, and hear from technicians and experts on various water and environmental health initiatives across Canada,” says Jonathan.