Canada Invests $4 million to expand the Safe Water Project in Northwestern Ontario First Nation Communities

DRYDEN, ON, Oct. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - All Canadians — including First Nations —should have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.

Yesterday, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced over $4 million in funding for an expansion of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) Safe Water Project during her visit with youth in to Northern Ontario. This expansion means that the Project will now end boiling water advisories for 19 First Nation communities.

In 2015-2016, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada provided $1.3 million for the KO Safe Water Project in five First Nations that eliminated long-term boil water advisories at Fort Severn First Nation, Deer Lake First Nation and Poplar Hill First Nation.

Quick Facts

• The project involves the training and certification of local water and wastewater plant operators, acquisition and installation of additional remote water monitoring equipment, as well as water and wastewater oversight services, including operational and training support, the Circuit Rider Training Program, and 24/7 Emergency Support Services.
• The Safe Water Project is a First Nations initiative that is helping to eliminate boil water advisories, and building capacity and empowering communities to effectively manage their own drinking water.
• The communities included in the Safe Water Project area;
  • Keewaytinook Okimakanak: Deer Lake First Nation, Fort Severn First Nation, Keewaywin First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, Poplar Hill First Nation.
  • Windigo First Nation Council: Bearskin Lake First Nation, Cat Lake First Nation, North Caribou Lake First Nation, Sachigo Lake First Nation, Slate Falls First Nation.
  • Shibogama First Nation Council: Kingfisher Lake First Nation, Wapekeka First Nation, Wawakapewin First Nation, Wunnumin Lake First Nation, Kasabonika Lake First Nation.
  • Independent First Nations Alliance: Lac Seul First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Muskrat Dam First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation.

Quotes

"The expansion of this project is an another important step in honouring our commitment to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs and health and safety in First Nations communities."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"Along with our member First Nations, Keewaytinook Okimakanak is pleased to work with the Government of Canada on innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of delivering clean and safe drinking water on reserve. The expansion of this project means that 14 additional communities will benefit from training, operational support and water quality monitoring, which may serve as a model for other First Nation communities and organizations." 

Geordi Kakepetum
Chief Executive Director, Keewaytinook Okimakanak

"This announcement will certainly go a long way towards fulfilling our government's commitment to addressing the issue of safe drinking water in our First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario. Looking forward, the technology and infrastructure used in this project could help to bring an end to water boil advisories throughout the country. " 

The Honourable Bob Nault,  M.P., P.C.
Member of Parliament, Kenora Riding

Associated Links
Keewaytinook Okimakanak 
Budget 2016 Highlights – Indigenous and Northern Investments

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SOURCE Government of Canada

Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160