Harper Government Invests in an Upgraded Water System for the Boothroyd Band in British Columbia

Investments will benefit every home in the community

BOSTON BAR, BC, Feb. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced funding to upgrade Boothroyd Band's community water system.

The upgrades will allow the First Nation to better serve the community's 70 on-reserve members with clean, safe drinking water and includes a new water well and reservoir, distribution and supply lines, and a pump house and treatment system.

Between 2006 and 2014, the Government of Canada invested approximately $3 billion to support First Nation communities in managing their water and wastewater infrastructure. These expenditures are part of a comprehensive long term plan to improve drinking water and wastewater systems on First Nation lands. Previous actions include the passage of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, which enables the government to work with First Nations to develop regulations that will ensure that First Nations have the same access to safe, clean drinking water in their communities as all Canadians.

Quick Facts

• The Boothroyd Band is located two hours east of Vancouver and is home to 283 members, of which 70 live on reserve.
• On Nov. 1, 2013, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act came into force, which will enable the development of much needed regulations for safe drinking water and effective treatment of wastewater.
• The Government of Canada invested over $1.8 million to support this project. Funding to upgrade Boothroyd Band's system came from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's First Nation Water and Wastewater Action Plan.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 committed $323.4 million to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nation communities.
• The federal government is engaging with First Nations leadership, their technical experts, and provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as other stakeholders, to inform the drafting of regulations.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to provide funding for upgrades to the Boothroyd Band's water system so that community members can have the same access to Safe and clean water that other Canadians enjoy. We recognize that improving water and wastewater systems on reserve is crucial to supporting healthy, self-sufficient and prosperous First Nation communities and this announcement is a clear demonstration of working with our partners to achieve this goal."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Our Government continues to take action so that First Nations have access to safe and reliable drinking water in their communities, like other Canadians. That's why I am extremely pleased to announce our investment to upgrade the Boothroyd Band's water system."

Mark Strahl
Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"A safe and reliable water source for our community is vitally important. The recent upgrade to our community water system ensures that we to the best of our ability, are providing the best quality and quantity of water for drinking and fire safety which in turn helps in the provision of healthier lives."

Chief Rick Campbell
Boothroyd Band

Associated Links

Harper Government Welcomes the Coming into Force of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act 
First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscription.