Water Bill Could Erode Treaty Rights: Lawyer

Water Bill Could Erode Treaty Rights: Lawyer

Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 15:05

A spokesman for a national lawyers’ association fears a federal bill to ensure safe drinking water on reserves could destroy treaty rights the way it is written now.

Christopher Devlin, an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association, gave that analysis last night before the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.

The association says the bill should either not proceed, or it should be rewritten to ensure treaty rights are protected.

Devlin said the proposed legislation creates confusion over whether the government can destroy treaty rights through regulations.

He said the French version of Bill S-11 seems to provide more protection for treaty rights than the English version.

Devlin said that may simply be an honest mistake.