The Problem and the Pledge
Canada’s commitment to providing clean drinking water to all its citizens, including Indigenous communities, has long been a subject of national political interest. Yet, despite decades of promises, several First Nations communities remain under long-term drinking water advisories. At present, there are 33 long-term advisories in 31 reserves across Canada, with some having been in effect for over 25 years. This ongoing crisis represents a grave breach of the human right to water and sanitation, guaranteed by the United Nations, and underscores the deep systemic issues in how Canada addresses Indigenous water security.
During campaigns and while in office, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration pledged to end all long-term drinking water advisories on reserves by the end of his term. While progress has been made, the government has fallen short of its goal, as advisories continue to impact the everyday lives of Indigenous communities.
Shamattawa First Nation
The case of Shamattawa First Nation highlights the severity of this issue. Shamattawa First Nation, supported by other First Nations communities, launched a class-action lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that access to clean water represents a fundamental human right that Canada has failed to uphold. The plaintiffs describe the situation in their communities as an “urgent human rights crisis”.
In response, the federal government claimed that the provision of potable water to First Nations is a “discretionary political decision” rather than a legal obligation. This statement underscores the ongoing tension between the lack of government action and Indigenous communities’ need for essential services like clean water.
Moving Forward
Despite billions of dollars in investments over the years, there remains a large discrepancy between dollars spent and real progress in increasing Indigenous communities’ access to clean water. One of the core issues lies in insufficient oversight and monitoring of how funds are used and of whether they result in meaningful improvements.
Experts argue that solving the problem requires more than temporary funding boosts; it requires systemic change. This includes accountability mechanisms to provide clean water, sustainable funding for maintenance, and a collaborative approach that empowers Indigenous communities in the management of their water systems supported by all parties in Parliament.
Election Implications
The issue of Indigenous water rights will be a critical topic for political parties to address in the upcoming federal election and in the years to come.
Historically, under Conservative governments, Indigenous communities faced significant funding cuts, which resulted in the termination of essential programs and services. Pierre Poilievre appears to be steering the party in a new direction, however, with promises that echo those of Justin Trudeau, including putting an end to long-standing water advisories. However, this stance is complicated by his support for economic reconciliation which advocates for the use of Indigenous lands for resource extraction projects like pipelines.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) has consistently criticized the Liberal government’s handling of the water crisis, urging the administration to take greater accountability. Based on their track record, the NDP would likely adopt a more proactive and action-oriented approach to addressing Indigenous issues. They have long advocated for legislation that supports and recognizes the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities. For instance, NDP MP Lori Idlout introduced a bill to provide monetary compensation to Indigenous peoples as part of broader efforts to address historical injustices, systemic inequalities, and the lasting impacts of colonization in Canada. This enduring commitment to Indigenous issues has been a cornerstone of the NDP’s platform and a defining aspect of Jagmeet Singh’s leadership. Given their history of garnering significant support from on-reserve Indigenous voters, this focus would likely translate into increased support from indigenous voters in the upcoming election.
The upcoming election is an opportunity for parties to recommit to progressive policies to uphold Indigenous human rights. The Liberals’ failure to deliver on their 2015 promises has eroded their popularity, suggesting that the new liberal leader should set attainable goals to distance themselves from the party’s reputation in this policy area. Canada’s ongoing struggle to provide clean drinking water to Indigenous communities represents both an ethical issue and a political challenge. While progress has been made, significant work remains. With the next federal election approaching, voters and policymakers must consider how best to address this issue and honor Canada’s commitment to human rights for all its citizens.
Edited by Isabelle Monette
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and they do not reflect the position of the McGill Journal of Political Science or the Political Science Students’ Association.
Featured image by Justin Trudeau through Flickr