A group of First Nations chiefs from Manitoba wants the federal government to agree to provide clean running water for all reserves in that province within two years – a commitment the opposition says is "eminently doable."
The chiefs travelled to Ottawa on Wednesday to highlight the absence of basic necessities and the resulting health problems on what are some of the most remote reserves in the country, including those that were hardest-hit by H1N1 18 months ago.
"The lack of running water and basic community infrastructure jeopardizes the health of everyone living in these First Nations communities," said Grand Chief David Harper, who heads the MKO, an organization that represents chiefs in Northern Manitoba.
Harper said a $60-million commitment would ensure that homes for 65,000 people are retroactively fitted with sewer systems, running water and bathrooms.
Chief Michael Yellowback, who travelled from Manto Sipi Cree Nation, a 700-person reserve about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, proposed the two-year ultimatum.
He said he hears too often that change does not occur overnight.
"How many years . . . have Manitoba First Nations already waited? How many more nights do we have to wait before the government of Canada decides to take action?" he said.
"How many more people in northern Manitoba First Nations must get sick with the flu or other disease just because they can’t wash their hands?"
The chiefs were joined at the conference by four members of the Liberal party, including foreign affairs critic Bob Rae.
Rae said that when he was Ontario’s NDP premier in 1992, the province made a commitment along with the federal government to address inadequate living conditions on northern Ontario reserves.
"The two-year deadline being put forward by the chiefs is eminently doable. It’s not a pie-in-the sky plan. It’s a very realistic plan," he said.
"It’s not a matter of choice here, it’s a matter of necessity for this country. We’re either one country, or we’re not. And if we’re one country, it is simply not acceptable for First Nations people, for aboriginal, Inuit people, to be living in conditions that are on a par with the Third World but not on a par with how we live in Canada."
A spokeswoman for Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan said that, since 2006, the government has committed $2.5 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure for First Nations.
Spokeswoman Michelle Yao also said that "we recognize more needs to be done to address this serious issue," and that is why the Conservatives introduced Bill S-11 in the Senate which would create federal regulations for drinking water and wastewater in First Nations communities. The bill is at second reading in the Senate.
"First Nations also have planning responsibilities in their communities to allow for homes to be hooked up to the water grid. If they choose to build homes far apart, this will cost additional money in order to run pipes out. (Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) regional officials are willing to work with First Nations communities when it comes to this type of planning," she said.
In the House, NDP MP Niki Ashton, who represents Churchill, Man., asked when the government would "put an end to the Third World conditions facing Canada’s aboriginal peoples."
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the government has committed $285 million to federal aboriginal health programs.
"We’re getting the job done," she said.
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