The federal election called March 23 by newly minted Prime Minister Mark Carney has doomed legislation that would have guaranteed access to clean water for First Nations.
Bill C-61’s collapse is particularly disappointing to members of the Six Nations of the Grand Rive in southwestern Ontario. It leaves over 70% of residents without legislated access to safe drinking water.
After Parliament was dissolved for the April 28 election, all bills that failed to receive royal assent – including Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act – were wiped from the legislative agenda. The bill will need to be reintroduced once a new government is sworn in, but its future is uncertain.
Mike Morrice, Green Party MP for Kitchener Centre – which includes the Six Nations community – fought for amendments to strengthen the bill and is disappointed by its demise.
“The federal government promised to end all boil-water advisories, and that’s a promise they haven’t followed through on,” Morrice said.
Morrice proposed amendments that would have strengthened the federal government’s accountability, moving beyond vague “best efforts” to ensure legal obligations and enforceable water standards. However, his proposals were rejected.
“Unfortunately, the amendments I put forward were not accepted,” Morrice continued. “Of course, the legislation died on the order paper because of the election.”
Despite the bill’s imperfections, Morrice viewed it as a critical step toward addressing the long-standing human rights violation of denying First Nations access to safe drinking water.
In his opinion, the situation at the Six Nations reserve is unacceptable. Many residents still rely on bottled water or face ongoing boil-water advisories. Despite years of government promises, little has changed.
“I believe that every person in Canada deserves access to clean drinking water, but people in First Nations communities in Canada still cannot turn on the tap and access clean water,” Morrice said.
He pointed out that funding is an important component as well.
“The parliamentary budget officer has done a number of reports that show the gap in funding needs to be addressed in order to not just end boil-water advisories, but make sure that there are dollars for maintenance to ensure new ones don’t come up,” Morrice said.
Morrice remains hopeful, praising powerful testimony from First Nations chiefs during parliamentary hearings and pledged to continue pushing for stronger legislation.
“I reminded the committee of the importance of MPs to listen to and take up the calls of First Nations leaders,” he said. “I really appreciate the advocacy and leadership of First Nations after properly consulting them.”
Morrice believes that Parliament must prioritize Indigenous voices and collaborate across party lines to pass stronger water rights legislation.
The Liberal government blamed opposition parties for blocking what they call “a historic investment” in guaranteeing clean water rights.
Jennifer Kozelj, Press Secretary for Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, said that Conservatives and New Democrats halted the bill’s progress.
“During a critical moment to do what was right, NDP and Conservative MPs unfortunately blocked the bill from moving forward,” Kozelj said in a statement.
The Trudeau government managed to eliminate boil-water advisories in 147 Indigenous communities through water infrastructure investments. But many still lack clean water.
“While we’ve accomplished a lot together, it comes as no surprise when we say that more work needs to be done,” Kozelj acknowledged.
She emphasized that “the progress is met with resistance” from the Conservatives.
“Now is not the time to stop, it’s the time to build,” Kozelj said. “Conservative politicians are stuck in reverse – divisiveness and cruelty will get us nowhere.”
The Liberal government will continue working with Indigenous communities to address the water crisis if they are re-elected, Kozelj vowed.