Indigenous Water Issues in Canada: A Matter for Our Government to Solve

by Jeff Golby | CEO

Every morning, I turn on the tap to brush my teeth, make coffee, and shower. My kids, my wife, and millions of Canadians do the same, rarely thinking about the vast network of underground water systems that make this possible. Yet, in 2024, there are still 31 active long-term drinking water advisories on First Nations reserves across the country.

This means thousands of Indigenous people continue to live without access to clean water. While some progress has been made, particularly in the past five years, the situation remains a national crisis—one I believe should not be left to charity, but rather addressed by the Canadian government, which collects significant tax revenues.

To be clear, charity has a role in supporting, advocating (within legal limits), and providing training. However, it is limited in scope compared to the billions of dollars the government has at its disposal to mobilize, invest, and sustain efforts to solve this issue.

At Acts for Water, we’ve spent 35 years working to bring clean water to communities in Uganda, building more gravity-flow systems than any other NGO in the world. We understand water infrastructure and how to deliver it to rural communities. In Uganda, a blended approach of philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and government involvement makes sense due to the country’s tax and economic structure.

Many of us live, work, and play on unceded Indigenous lands in Canada, making the issue of clean water for First Nations especially close to our hearts. We believe every person, regardless of where they live, deserves the basic right to safe drinking water.

The Water Crisis in Numbers

As of September 2024, 31 First Nations reserves remain under long-term drinking water advisories, meaning their residents have been without safe drinking water for over a year. Some communities, such as Neskantaga First Nation in Northern Ontario, have been under a boil water advisory since 1995—nearly three decades. Yet, these numbers don’t capture the full scope of the crisis. Many small systems, individual wells, and cisterns, common in remote areas, aren’t included in official counts.

The issue extends beyond boil water advisories. There are also “do not consume” and “do not use” advisories, which are often more severe. Many reserves face chronic underreporting of their water challenges, compounding the crisis.

A Broken Promise

In 2015, the Canadian government made a bold promise to end all long-term drinking water advisories on reserves by March 2021. That deadline has come and gone. While the government has recommitted to solving the problem, it has yet to provide a new target date. Since 2015, 145 long-term advisories have been lifted, but progress remains slow, leaving communities in limbo, grappling with the day-to-day health consequences. With an election looming, now is the time to use our voices.

Why Is This So Hard to Solve?

Aging Infrastructure: Many communities lack modern water treatment facilities, and their remote locations make construction and ongoing maintenance costly and difficult. We face similar challenges in our work but have overcome them through remote monitoring tools and digital mapping systems that allow for a structured maintenance cycle. This is fundamentally an issue of mobilization and commitment, and it can be solved.

Funding Gaps: According to the Auditor General, there is an annual shortfall of $138 million for the operation and maintenance of water systems on reserves. This gap severely hampers communities’ ability to keep their systems functional. However, this is a solvable problem with the right political will and investment.

Regulatory Confusion: Water management on reserves falls under federal jurisdiction, yet reserves are expected to meet provincial water standards, leading to unclear regulations and a lack of accountability. While this may be the most complex challenge, it is not unsolvable. Clear policies and cooperative governance structures are needed to ensure accountability from all parties.

Lack of Trained Personnel: Remote communities struggle to attract and retain certified water treatment operators, leaving their systems vulnerable. This is a human resources issue, and while challenging, it is solvable through proper training programs, incentives, and retention strategies.

Contaminated Water Sources: Many First Nations rely on surface water, which is more prone to contamination. Comprehensive source water protection plans and proactive measures can address this problem effectively.

Water is Not a Luxury, It’s a Right

This is a national infrastructure issue, a Canadian problem, and a disgrace. Just as we fund and regulate roads and healthcare, we must treat water access as an essential service for all Canadians, including First Nations communities.

Addressing this crisis is undeniably difficult. It involves complex issues like infrastructure gaps, regulatory confusion, and the need for collaboration across jurisdictions. But Canada has faced and overcome hard challenges before. What is required now is the will to do what is right.

Water is a basic right. It’s time we act like it.