Question Period Note: Water and wastewater

N.A.

• The Government of Canada continues to partner with First Nations to lift all drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves as quickly as possible.
• As of April 16, 2026, First Nations have lifted 153 long-term drinking water advisories and 331 short-term advisories, preventing them from becoming long-term.
• 97% of public water systems on reserve meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
• Action plans are in place in 37 communities to resolve the 40 active long-term advisories.

First Nation communities manage their drinking water systems, including operations, maintenance, and local decision-making, while ISC provides funding, technical support, and policy guidance to help First Nations maintain and improve water infrastructure and train water operators. To help protect the health of residents, ISC also works in partnership with First Nations to assist communities in verifying the monitoring of drinking water quality in all water systems at the tap, which includes providing advice and guidance about drinking water safety and wastewater disposal.
Drinking water advisories are issued to warn people that water may be unsafe to drink or use to protect their health. In many First Nation communities, there are several types of water systems. Based on the type of water system, a drinking water advisory could affect one building or the whole community. Drinking water advisories are issued by First Nations in their communities. Drinking water advisories are put in place for various reasons. For instance, a community may issue an advisory if there are problems in the overall water system, such as water line breaks, equipment failure, or poor filtration/disinfection during water treatment.
Communities may also choose to issue a drinking water advisory as a precautionary measure, such as when there are emergency repairs in the water distribution system or if a community does not have an operator in place to ensure the safety of the drinking water.
When there is a concern with drinking water quality, a recommendation to issue a drinking water advisory is given to Chief and Council, or their delegates, by an Environmental Public Health Officer (EPHO) employed by Indigenous Services Canada or First Nations organizations. EPHOs also provide advice on type of DWA that should be issued, on how to fix the issues causing the DWA and recommend when an advisory can be lifted.
Recently lifted long-term drinking water advisories (LTDWAs):
• In April 2026, Rainy River First Nations in Ontario lifted the drinking water advisory on their public water system after completing an upgrade and expansion of their water treatment plant.
• In April 2026, Deer Lake First Nation in Ontario lifted the drinking water advisory on their public water system after completing repairs to the system and improving operations and water quality monitoring.
• In January 2026, Berens’ River First Nation in Manitoba lifted the long-term drinking water advisory on their public water system after completing upgrades to their water treatment plant.
Recent LTDWAs:
Community LTDWA Effective Date Details
Long Plain, MB April 16, 2026 The community is replacing a section of watermain and construction is underway.
Mishkeegogamang, ON – Erik Lake March 27, 2026 The community is planning upcoming repairs to their water treatment plant to support lifting the advisory.
Pauingassi, MB March 21, 2026 The community is working on repairs to their water treatment plant to support lifting the advisory.
Seine River February 10, 2026 The community is planning water treatment plant upgrades and operator training to support lifting the advisory.

If pressed on what is being done to support access to safe drinking water
• The Government of Canada has committed $9.4 billion in funding since 2016 to support First Nations water and wastewater infrastructure, including $2.3 billion over 3 years announced in Budget 2025.
• Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, ISC invested over $300 million to support First Nations water and wastewater systems on reserves.
• This includes funding capacity building initiatives such as to train local water operators.
• ISC continues to work with communities to monitor all systems to assist in preventing public health risks. If pressed on operations and maintenance funding
• Water operators are key to ensuring communities have access to clean drinking water and reliable infrastructure.
• ISC is working closely with First Nations to support the improvement of water operator salaries, retention and training, and in ensuring the longevity of their water and wastewater infrastructure.
• In 2024-25, ISC invested close to $380 million to support operations and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on reserve. If pressed on First Nations Water Legislation
• The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to support safe and clean drinking water, now and in the future.
• The Government has committed to introduce clean drinking water legislation this spring. If pressed on the Shamattawa safe drinking water class action
• The Government of Canada respects the choice of Indigenous groups, including Shamattawa First Nation, to seek the Court’s assistance on the important issue of safe drinking water.
• On December 5, 2025, the Federal Court released its decision. As this matter is before the courts, the Government of Canada is limited in commenting on the decision or next steps at this time.
• ISC continues to work closely with First Nations to help support access to clean drinking water for everyone in First Nations communities. If pressed on other water and wastewater litigation
• Everyone in Canada should have access to reliable, safe and clean drinking water.
• The Government of Canada respects the choice of First Nations to seek the Court’s assistance on the important issue of safe drinking water.
• ISC continues to work closely with First Nations to help support access to clean drinking water for everyone in First Nations communities. If pressed on the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Status Report
• We acknowledge the Auditor General of Canada’s follow-up report on programs for First Nations.
• Indigenous Services Canada agrees that more needs to be done to support First Nations’ access to clean and safe drinking water on reserves.
• Ensuring that First Nations people have access to clean and safe drinking water – including lifting all outstanding long-term drinking water advisories – remains a top priority for the Department.
• We continue to work with First Nation communities to support construction, repair and maintenance of water systems on reserves.