Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has indicated that its new drinking water quality bill will include First Nations recognition of an inherent right to self-government over their water resources.
Consistent with the principles of self-determination, Bill C-61 seeks to give communities the choice of which standard they can use to determine whether their drinking water meets safety criteria. This gives them the opportunity to follow federal or state standards or to develop their own standards.
The draft law not only affects drinking water, but also the wastewater management. It also provides for the protection of spring water by creating zones that ensure its quality. In certain cases, partnerships need to be created between municipalities and the provinces in which they are located to ensure the management of these areas.
The ministry said it took into account the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when developing Bill C-61. He also said he hopes this bill will lead to greater government-to-government collaboration with First Nations.
During a technical briefing, Indigenous Services Canada repeatedly reminded that this bill was developed in close consultation with First Nations.
The federal government said it considered hundreds of testimonies received in writing, virtually or in person. From the beginning, he worked with Assembly of First Nations leaders and the First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water.
SAC has come under fire recently over its process of developing the bill with communities.
In response, the ministry reiterated its desire to seek First Nations input throughout the process, which will see the project soon brought to the House of Commons and Senate before adoption. He also assured that the consent of communities was essential for the passage of the law.