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TORONTO \u2014 Several dozen First Nations in Ontario called for the resignation of the province\u2019s environment minister Wednesday after he asked the federal government to not reintroduce a bill that would enshrine clean drinking water rights in law.<\/p>\n
Last month, Todd McCarthy and Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz wrote to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin asking her to move away from legislation that they say would \u201cdelay project development and undermine competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
They singled out Bill C-61, legislation introduced in the last Parliament that sought to ensure First Nations have access to clean drinking water and can protect fresh water sources on their territories.<\/p>\n
The bill faced a lengthy committee process but was not passed into law before Parliament was prorogued earlier this year, and Dabrusin said last week that her government plans to reintroduce it in the fall.<\/p>\n
Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief Linda Debassige, whose organization represents 39 First Nations in northern and southern Ontario, said she was shocked and disappointed that McCarthy would oppose the codification in law of First Nations\u2019 right to clean drinking water.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe environment minister needs to resign, he\u2019s got to go,\u201d Debassige said.<\/p>\n
There are 37 First Nations across the country that have long-term boil-water advisories, and 26 of them are in Ontario.<\/p>\n
McCarthy\u2019s office said the intention of the letter was to make clear that Ottawa needs to ensure a \u201cregulatory environment that supports economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOntario has always supported the right to clean drinking water in all First Nations communities,\u201d said McCarthy\u2019s spokesman, Alexandru Cioban.<\/p>\n
\u201cOntario strongly believes this is not an either-or proposition: we can and need to bring clean drinking water to First Nations communities while also bringing regulatory certainty that attracts investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cioban did not provide further details about McCarthy\u2019s concerns about the bill.<\/p>\n
The province says McCarthy\u2019s job is safe.<\/p>\n
McCarthy\u2019s letter came on the heels of a tense meeting at Queen\u2019s Park between the government and First Nations, who have been livid over recently passed legislation, known as Bill 5, that aims to speed up the completion of large projects, including mines.<\/p>\n
The province gave cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws through the creation of so-called \u201cspecial economic zones\u201d that First Nations say ignore their treaty rights. The province intends to name the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario as the first such zone.<\/p>\n
Debassige and several dozen First Nation chiefs met with Premier Doug Ford a few weeks ago to discuss Bill 5. Ford had said the day before that First Nations should stop coming to him \u201chat in hand\u201d if they don\u2019t get on board with Bill 5.<\/p>\n
He then apologized to Debassige and those chiefs in a private meeting before repeating it at a news conference on live television.<\/p>\n
Debassige and the chiefs accepted that apology and agreed to move forward with extensive consultations on the new law.<\/p>\n
Debassige said Ford told them that day he was in full support of clean drinking water for all Ontario First Nations and was going to figure out a way to help. That issue is a federal one, though Ford hinted on radio recently the province might step up if the federal government does not.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone deserves fresh drinking water,\u201d Ford said of First Nations on NewsTalk 1010.<\/p>\n
Debassige still takes the premier\u2019s word and believes McCarthy had gone \u201crogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo hear directly from the premier that he is in full support and then have one of his ministers turn around and ask the prime minister of Canada to essentially decommit in introducing C-61 is a complete show of disrespect, a show of incompetence and he\u2019s a loose cannon in my view,\u201d said Debassige.<\/p>\n
Ontario passed the Clean Water Act in 2006, which ensures the protection of municipal drinking water systems. That came in response to the deadly E. coli outbreak in Walkerton, Ont., that killed seven people and made more than 2,000 people sick.<\/p>\n
But that Ontario bill does not extend to First Nations in the province because of jurisdictional issues.<\/p>\n
The federal clean water bill is part of a court-ordered settlement over a class-action lawsuit First Nations won against Ottawa over this very issue.<\/p>\n
Debassige helped draft that legislation, saying it was historic in many ways, including the fact the federal government worked with First Nations to write it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process we went through and we were able to negotiate was a testament to the government\u2019s commitment to reconciliation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not reconciliation. I know the premier\u2019s office is very aware of our position and our response to these idiotic comments.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ford government has been taking pains to assuage First Nations\u2019 concerns over Bill 5 in the last month, pledging extensive consultations and a say in how related regulations are drafted.<\/p>\n
Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has lived under a boil-water advisory for more than 30 years. The community says the water gives them lesions, eczema and a host of other skin issues if they shower or bathe in it. It leads to gastrointestinal issues if they drink from the taps and about half of the community has never lived at a time when the water was safe to drink.<\/p>\n
The federal government flies in planeloads of bottled water to the remote First Nation several times every week.<\/p>\n
McCarthy\u2019s letter was the latest \u201cslap in the face\u201d from the province, said Neskantaga Chief Gary Quisess.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t feel right to the poor people in Neskantaga,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s very disturbing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The community has been traumatized over decades of unsafe drinking water, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a mental health crisis and trauma that is very much related to the boil-water advisory, including suicides,\u201d Quisess said. \u201cLife is very tough and there\u2019s no end in sight to the trauma here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chiefs of Ontario, which represents all 133 First Nations in the province, called the letter \u201ca direct attack on the rights, health and safety of First Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis legislation was developed to ensure that our communities finally have access to clean, safe drinking water, a basic human right that far too many have been denied,\u201d said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n