Question Period Note: Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation Water Treatment Plant

• All Canadians should have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water.

• The water treatment plant in Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation is experiencing mechanical and electrical issues, which are impacting the quantity and safety of the water.

• Shipments of bottled water are being sent to the community and we are working closely with the Prince Albert Grand Council and Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation to make necessary repairs to the treatment plant.

• We will continue working with partners to improve access to clean water on reserve.

COVID-19 Outbreak:
Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation is a fly-in northern community in Saskatchewan with an on reserve population of 1,133 and 2,174 total population. On November 12, 2020, the Nothern Inter-Tribal Health Authority declared an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the community. On November 14, 2020 community Leadership declared a full community lockdown due to increased cases of COVID-19. As of November 16, 2020 at 5:00pm, there are 36 total and active cases.

Through COVID-19 funding investments, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has provided $1.96M to Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation for immediate Public Health Measures that includes perimeter security needs. ISC has provided surge health infrastructure for isolation space and BlueMed tents to support testing and screening efforts.

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is the Tribal Council affiliated with Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation. This community receives direct public health support through the Athabasca Healthy Authority (AHA)which is jointly funded from ISC and the Government of Saskatchewan. Additionally, ISC has provided Public Health Measures funds to AHA and PAGC for PPE, Infection Prevention Control, surge health infrastructure, mental wellness, emergency shelters, safe return to school and more. No formal State of Local Emergency (SOLE) declared to date based on Indigenous Services Canada and Northern Inter-Tribal Healthy Authority awareness.

Water Treatment Plant:
Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) directly monitors the health and quality of the community’s water supply and advises on issues related to drinking water. Indigenous Services Canada supports First Nations communities, as well as provides advice and assistance in developing water infrastructure. Responsibility for safe drinking water on reserves is shared between First Nation communities and the Government of Canada.
First Nations are owners of their water and wastewater systems and are responsible for their daily operation and management. Indigenous Services Canada provides funding and offer support to First Nations in the planning, procurement, design, construction, operation and maintenance, and commissioning of their water and wastewater facilities.
ISC continues to work with communities to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the continued provision of safe, clean drinking water.
The Fond du Lac Denesuline Nation is currently under a boil water advisory and a lockdown due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases in Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation

• The health and wellbeing of Fond du Lac community members remains our top priority.

• We supported the community with $1.96 million to support public health measures, perimeter security, food security, income assistance, and infrastructure needs.

• We continue to work with partners towards bringing the epidemic under control and to avert overwhelming our acute care system. We stand ready to deploy additional resources as needed.
If pressed on Water

• We remain in contact with leadership and plans are in place to support the continuity of water and wastewater service provision throughout the pandemic.

• Technical experts are assessing the issue to repair the water treatment plant. We expect it to be fully operational and producing safe, potable water within the next two weeks.