Government of Canada working with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation to improve access to drinking water on reserve

MOHAWKS OF THE BAY OF QUINTE FIRST NATION, ON, June 18, 2018 /CNW/ - Everyone in Canada deserves access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Chief Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation announced that work on an 800-metre water main extension project is now underway in the community.

The extension continues the work needed to increase access to clean, treated drinking water in homes and buildings on reserve. In 2016 a new water treatment plant was constructed that distributes water to 67 homes and nine community facilities, as well as the installation of cisterns and fill stations. The federal government contributed approximately $27.6 million to this project, in addition to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation's contribution of approximately $3.3 million.

The water main extension will expand the distribution of treated drinking water to the Mohawk Community Centre, fire hall, home-support building, the Orange Lodge and four residential homes as part of a multi-phased approach to addressing long-term drinking water advisories in the community. Indigenous Services Canada is contributing $845,561 towards the cost of the water main extension. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Quotes

"Everyone deserves access to clean, reliable drinking water. Our government is proud to partner with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation to expand their water system. I commend Chief Maracle and Council for their efforts in improving water distribution that will carry many benefits for their community"

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation has had drinking water issues for quite some time, and we are pleased that funding has finally been approved for the extension of the water main. We are pleased to see the Government's commitment to eliminating all First Nation drinking water advisories in action in our community."

Chief R. Don Maracle
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation

"I have known Chief Maracle and my neighbours among the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte for over twenty years, and I have been proud to stand with them to protect the safety of our whole community's water. Today, I once again applaud Chief Maracle and Council for being such strong and steadfast advocates on behalf of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Their hard work and advocacy is continuously moving the bar forward. Likewise, I am very proud of our government for making historic investments to improve drinking water on First Nations reserves, and today's announcement is an important local component of that commitment."

Mike Bossio, MP Hastings
Member of Parliament, Lennox and Addington

Quick Facts

• Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation is located approximately 10 kilometres east of Belleville and west of Deseronto, and has approximately 9,850 members.

Associated Links

• Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities
• Department of Indigenous Services Canada provides update on commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve.
• Lifecycle Process for an Infrastructure project
• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Budget 2017
• Budget 2018

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160