The federal government said it continues to work with Shamattawa First Nation so a six-year boil-water order can be lifted.
While Shamattawa leaders have accused the federal government of being too slow to help repair and upgrade the community’s water treatment plant, Anis Piragasanathar, a spokesman for Indigenous Services Canada, said Friday the federal government “has been following Shamattawa’s lead to lift their drinking water advisory.”
“We have provided $26.5 million to expand and upgrade the water treatment plant and water main distribution and the project is nearing completion,” Piragasanathar wrote in a statement on Friday.
KEN GIGLIOTTI / FREE PRESS FILES
At a news conference Wednesday, Shamattawa Chief Jordan Hill claimed the federal government “is putting the rights of our people on the back burner and other people are getting sick and youth are dying.”
“ISC has also supported Shamattawa’s access to clean drinking water and water operator training and mentoring through the circuit rider training program.”
As well, Piragasanathar said the government plans to have a full water system assessment in the community and install a reverse osmosis unit so clean water will flow through the pipes to people.
“Water infrastructure projects are complex, especially in remote communities that experience extreme weather conditions,” he said.
“This is difficult work and it takes time. However, our focus is unwavering and our goal remains the same: to bring effective and lasting solutions developed with First Nations to meet their needs.”
The federal government said it has increased the budget for water infrastructure in First Nations by 150 per cent and it has reduced the number of long-term water advisories from 105 to 31.
More than 280 short-term advisories have been lifted.
At a news conference Wednesday, Shamattawa Chief Jordan Hill claimed the federal government “is putting the rights of our people on the back burner and other people are getting sick and youth are dying.”
The band will be in court next month to ask a federal judge to rule First Nations people have a right to safe drinking water in their homes.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
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