Long-term drinking water advisory lifted in Mishkeegogamang First Nation

Mishkeegogamang First Nation successfully ends long-term and short-term advisories

OTTAWA, Dec. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Everyone in Canada should have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water. Our government remains steadfast in our commitment – to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021.

Today, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, was pleased to share progress on this commitment. Mishkeegogamang First Nation has lifted short and long-term drinking water advisories that have affected this community since 2016.

Upon Indigenous Services Canada's recommendation, Mishkeegogamang First Nation in Ontario lifted a long-term drinking water advisory on December 19. The advisory had been in effect since October 18, 2016. On December 20, a second drinking advisory that had been in effect since July 28, 2017 was also lifted.

Quotes

"Every Canadian deserves access to clean drinking water. I am pleased to see progress on our commitment to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve. I would specifically like to commend the people of Mishkeegogamang First Nation for their perseverance while this advisory remained in place. We are determined to work with partners to ensure that all First Nations communities enjoy accessible, clean drinking water."

The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick Facts

• As part of its plan to improve water and wastewater infrastructure at Mishkeegogamang First Nation, the Government of Canada invested $388,000 to support repairs to treatment processes including a replacement of nano-filters, as well as other work on electrical and mechanical systems.
• Budget 2016 provides $1.8 billion over five years to significantly improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure, ensure proper facility operation, maintenance, and support training of water system operations. Budget 2016 also included $141.7 million over five years in new funding to Health Canada to improve drinking water monitoring and testing on reserve
• Committing investments over five years allows for long-term planning to improve on-reserve water and wastewater systems.
• Between November 2015 and December 2017, 31 long-term DWAs were lifted on public water systems financially supported by Indigenous Services Canada through the work done in partnership with First Nation communities and partners. Twenty-two drinking water advisories were added during that same time. Indigenous Services Canada is working to address both at-risk and long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems financially supported by the Department.
• There are currently 68 long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems that receive financial support from Indigenous Services Canada.

Associated Links

• Safe drinking water for First Nation communities
• Budget 2016: A Better Future for Indigenous Peoples
• Budget 2017

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Andrew MacKendrick, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 819-956-5372; Media Relations, Department of Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160