Harper Government Invests in Improvements for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure at Black River First Nation

WINNIPEG, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister Responsible for Manitoba and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today congratulated Black River First Nation on completing the expansion of the community water treatment plant following investments from Canada.

The Government of Canada has invested $7.38 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure at Black River First Nation for the benefit of approximately 900 community members. 

Investments for water and wastewater build on the Government of Canada's actions to support First Nations and to encourage strong and healthy communities. 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. An important step toward these regulations was announced earlier this week with the launch of the regulatory development process.

Quick Facts

• Black River First Nation is located approximately 150 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
• In June 2013, Canada passed the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, which is resulting in federal regulations for access to safe drinking water, effective treatment of wastewater and the protection of sources of drinking water on First Nations lands. 
• The Government of Canada is continuing to invest in water and wastewater systems on reserve.  Budget 2014 committed $323.4 million over two years through the First Nation Water and Wastewater Action Plan.

Quotes

"Our Government is taking action so that First Nations have the same access to clean drinking water on-reserve as is available to other Canadians. I am pleased that our government has supported Black River First Nation and I congratulate the First Nation on the work they have done to upgrade water and wastewater services in the community."

Shelly Glover
Minister Responsible for Manitoba

"Our Government is committed to working with First Nations to support strong and healthy communities.  We are pleased to work with Black River First Nation to upgrade the community's water and wastewater facilities and we will continue to ensure that First Nations have the same access to safe, clean drinking water in their communities as all other Canadians."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs

"Safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater facilities are vital to the health and safety of every community but especially for First Nation communities like Black River. The expansion of the water treatment plant will provide Black River First Nation with greater capacity, higher efficiency and improved water quality and will eliminate potential health and safety risks to our community members."

Chief Frank Abraham
Black River First Nation

Related products

Backgrounder – Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Frequently Asked Questions – Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act AANDC Water
News Release – Moving forward to develop regulations under the Safe Drinking Waterfor First Nations Act 

Additional links

Black River First Nation Community Profile

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SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Erica Meekes, 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