INAC Support of Water and Wastewater in First Nation Communities

Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation Water Symposium March 2010

CIDM# 2868391



Ongoing Government of Canada Commitment to Address Water Issues

Plan of Action for Drinking Water on Reserve

in March 2006 announced $60 million.



Expert Panel

reported in December 2006 on regulatory options.

 The

Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

recommended an independent assessment of water and wastewater needs and comprehensive consultations on a regulatory regime.



First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

continued funding commitment with an additional $330 million. Extended for 2 years under Budget 2010.

in March 2008 

Canada’s Economic Action Plan

additional $165 million for 18 water and wastewater projects over the next two years.

in January 2009 provided an 2

Speech from the Throne and Budget 2010

Speech from the Throne

 The Government will introduce new legislative measures to safeguard drinking water and effective waste-water treatment on-reserve.

Budget 2010

 First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan is extended for two years with an additional $330 million.

 Comprehensive review of current approach to financing First Nations infrastructure.

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Ongoing Government of Canada Commitment to Address Water and Wastewater Issues

INVESTMENT Infrastructure/Training ASSESSMENT Engineering/Capacity PROTECTION – “To Do” Regulations/Compliance • Since 2006, $1.6B has been allocated to improve water and wastewater conditions on reserve through several targeted and ongoing programs investments.

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200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Number of High-Risk Water Systems (2006-2007 to 2009-2010) 193 97 85 Mar 06 Mar 07 Dec 07 48 Mar 09 Year

Results to Date

72 70 68 66 58 56 54 64 62 60 Number of High-Risk Wastewater Systems (2006-2007 to 2009-2010) 71 67 60 Mar 07 Mar 08 Year Mar 09

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Challenges

 Current needs for infrastructure exceed available funding.

 Capacity challenges related to management of water and wastewater systems in First Nations communities.

 Lack of clear or enforceable definition of the roles and responsibilities related to safe drinking water on reserve.

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Opportunity for Determining the Needs: National Assessment

 Addressing funding challenges requires understanding the needs.

 The National Assessment will:  provide new baseline for all data;    identify deficiencies in existing systems; examine water and wastewater serviceability options for the entire community; and help to build the business case for future investment strategy.

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

Clarification of Standards: Water Protocols

INAC will be releasing three new water protocols: 

Protocol for Centralized Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities



Protocol for Wastewater Treatment and Disposal in First Nations Communities



Protocol for Decentralised (on-site) Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities

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Small Systems Policy

 The new policy is enabling, allowing for the funding of decentralized, on-site water and wastewater systems.

 Reducing the reliance on expensive piped systems will help promote cost effectiveness and reducing both Capital and O&M pressures.

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

Opportunity for Partnerships: Capacity Building

Partnerships result in the sharing of best practices and improvement of the capacity of everyone involved.



Municipal Agreements

: helps address capacity, and can be cost-effective as well.



Circuit Rider Trainers Professional Association

: help trainers improve with best practices.



Alternative Financing:

An approach to support communities in accessing funding to build infrastructure.

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

Opportunity for Ensuring Safe Drinking Water: Regulatory Regime

The Government of Canada is proposing legislation that will enable the government to work with First Nations to develop regulations that will safeguard First Nations’ drinking water supply on First Nation lands across Canada.  Legislation will enable the development of regulations which will establish proper oversight, define shared responsibility governing a legal basis for compliance.

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Future Directions

In partnership with First Nations:  Conclude National investment needs.

Assessment

and develop analysis of  Develop regulation regime to support community assets.

protection

of water and 

Invest

in infrastructure to reduce high risk systems across Canada.

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