Neutral Commission Could Solve Water Issue: Expert

Neutral Commission Could Solve Water Issue: Expert

Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 16:25

A neutral commission could solve an issue with a new federal law about safe drinking water on First Nations, an expert says.

Under the law, the legal liability to make sure First Nations water plants produce safe water falls to First Nations instead of the federal government.

But chiefs and councillors say there’s no provision to ensure First Nations will have enough money to operate their plants.

Institute of Governance Senior Associate John Graham sympathized with that concern during a senate hearing in Ottawa last night.

He suggested setting up a neutral entity other than the feds or First Nations.

It would determine how much money is needed to run First Nations water and sewer plants.

Graham says those third party groups have worked well in other countries like Australia.