Proposed INAC Water and Wastewater Legislative Framework
The provision of safe drinking water and the effective treatment of wastewater are critical in ensuring the health and safety of First Nation people and the protection of source water on First Nation lands. While legislation for drinking water and wastewater has been developed in provinces and territories, such legislation for drinking water and wastewater in First Nation communities does not currently exist. It is for this reason that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) intends to work with First Nations to establish a legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater in First Nation communities.During spring/summer 2008, INAC met with First Nation organizations and provincial/territorial officials to share information and to prepare for meaningful and successful engagement sessions scheduled to begin in winter 2009. Many First Nation organizations and provincial/territorial officials provided positive feedback and expressed interest in participating in further engagement sessions.
Commencing in winter 2009, INAC will undertake an engagement process leading to the development of a legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater in First Nation communities. This will consist of discussions with First Nations, regional First Nation organizations, and provincial/territorial officials. The discussion will include the Discussion paper which contains a number of elements including source water protection essential for the provision of safe water to First Nations communities. Please review these elements and determine how they will impact your communities ability to comply with the proposed legislative framework.
Further activities stemming from these engagements include:
• A report on the engagements will be prepared for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians;
• Development of enabling legislation to allow for eventual creation of regulations; and
• Introduction and passage of this legislation through Parliament.
Participants at the engagement sessions will be encouraged to discuss and provide input on the federal government’s preferred option of incorporating by reference (reproducing) provincial/territorial regulations and adapting them, as required, to meet the needs of First Nation communities. INAC will be seeking solutions and recommendations from First Nations, regional First Nation organizations and provinces/territories on how to best address the regulatory gap that presently exists regarding drinking water and wastewater in First Nation communities. Advice and traditional knowledge from elders and others regarding drinking water and wastewater will also be taken into consideration.
At the conclusion of these sessions, a report on the engagements will be provided to the Minister. This report will contain a summary of the views expressed by participants at the engagement sessions and in written submissions, and this report will be taken into consideration during the development of proposed legislation.
Once proposed legislation has been developed and passed by Parliament, further engagement with First Nations, regional First Nation organizations, and provinces/territories will take place on the development and implementation of federal regulations. This further engagement will likely take place over the course of several years, and First Nations will play a role in all stages of the engagement process.
Attached at the bottom of this page are a list of contacts across Canada who are involved with the legislative framework. There is also an engagement session schedule attached should you wish to attend a framework session.
ONTARIO REGIONAL CONTACT:
Mr. Robert (Bob) Maguire, Director, Funding Services – South – INAC
For further information including Questions to Consider for participants in the engagement sessions, please go to the following website:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/enr/wtr/h2o/index-eng.asp
Attachment & Size
REGIONAL CONTACTS.pdf 52.74 KB
ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS SCHEDULE.pdf 56.31 KB
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