“I just want to say that I do not agree with the arrangement,” said Roy Moonias, a member of the Neskantaga First Nation, which has been advising on drinking water for nearly three decades. “I heard the community say the same thing. They do not agree.” The settlement was signed last year, after First Nations members in communities with water consulting for at least a year since 1995 launched a legal challenge in 2019. The settlement provides:
About $ 1.5 billion in compensation for First Nation residents affected by a lack of clean drinking water. Creating a $ 400 million First Nation Economic and Cultural Rehabilitation Fund. Establishment of a First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water. At least $ 6 billion to improve access to safe drinking water in First Nations.
The government has also renewed its commitment to end long-term drinking water advice at First Nations.
Roy Mounias said the terms of the agreement are very restrictive.
Compensation is open to anyone living in a First Nation who was advised to boil water for at least one year between November 20, 2013 and June 20, 2021.
However, the age of the plaintiffs plays a role in how much compensation they can receive. Those born before 20 November 1995 are entitled to compensation only for the period from 20 November 2013 to 20 June 2021.
According to the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement website, “there are a number of regulatory restrictions that apply to Canadian laws that limit the amount of time adults must file a lawsuit after an incident.”
In the press conference, Mounias said that he did not support the settlement because of that.
“I myself do not support the form of government,” he said. “I suffered 27 years. I suffered, my family, and everyone in the community here, 27 years.”
However, according to the terms of the settlement, Mounias said that he is entitled to compensation only for six of these years.
“I just want to say that I do not agree with the settlement,” he said. “I heard the community say the same thing. They do not agree.”
Tataskweyak Cree Nation leader Doreen Spence has invited federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu to visit her community, which has been running water resources since 2017.
“I know every First Nation also has its own unique, different problems with water quality and services,” Spence said. “The settlement agreement … promises to end all boiling water advice and we know this is not going to happen overnight.
“If it continues like this, to disagree about what we want, the obstacle is still there, because we know that the federal government usually dictates: ‘No, you will get it, so’ We will get rid of the boiling warning. water ». “But I think that is unacceptable.”
Boiling water tips still apply in various First Nations communities, despite promises to end them. (Olivia Stefanovic / CBC)
Spence said the government should listen to the First Nations and their input on what they need for drinking water.
Neskantaga’s Wayne Moonias leader said the water has led to health problems for the community’s residents.
“We used to visit houses from time to time where we have small children, infants, who bandage us due to wounds and exposure to unsafe drinking water,” he said. “There is a lot of work to be done and I think this is the way to look at some of these things on a more urgent and urgent basis to try to secure support in the communities. “
The lack of clean drinking water for such a long time also affects the mental health of residents, said Wayne Moonias.
“It’s really frustrating. We have a lot of issues with access to clean drinking water, as well as providing quality of life for community members.”
Hajdu said there are 33 active long-term drinking water tips in First Nations communities, with up to a dozen expected to be removed this year.
“We will continue to work with all 33 communities and I will speak personally with the leaders on a regular basis to understand how much better I as a minister and the department serve them as we work to remove this water advice. said Hajdu.
