National chief urges MPs to send water bill to Senate before holiday break

By Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press on December 13, 2024.

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on all members of Parliament to send a First Nations water bill to a Senate committee before the holiday break. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is seen during the first day of the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

OTTAWA – The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on all members of Parliament to send a First Nations water bill to the Senate before the holiday break.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says the water and wastewater crisis in First Nations communities demands urgent action, and that legislation intended to fix the problem cannot afford to be delayed.

In an open letter to MPs, she says the bill reflects years of advocacy by First Nations and marks a milestone in a decades-long fight for water in First Nations communities.

She says passing the bill before Parliament breaks will demonstrate Canada’s commitment to upholding its responsibilities and working in partnership with First Nations to address the crisis.

It’s unclear whether the Liberals will try to get the bill passed before the holidays, as they are expected to introduce the fall economic statement next week.

They attempted to send the bill to the Senate last week through a unanimous consent motion, but were unsuccessful.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.