A Mohawk First Nation chief says the federal government’s Safe Drinking Water legislation is too broad.
John Adams told a Senate committee yesterday that the bill tries to treat all reserves the same, but he stresses that isn’t the case.
Adams said his reserve has had its own drinking water system since 1964.
He said the government should have consulted with them, but it didn’t bother.
Adams added the federal government’s interference through the bill would only hinder the band – not help it.
Meantime, a chief from British Columbia says one community in that province has been ordered not to drink its water for 10 years.
Chief Robert Chamberlin says the ‘do not consume’ order was the result of a series of mistakes when technology was improperly applied.
He worries it could happen to other bands, too.