First Nations to File Legal Action over Unsafe Drinking Water

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Four Alberta First Nations – namely Sucker Creek First Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe) and the Tsuu T’ina Nation – have unanimously filed a legal action in Federal Court that directly challenges the Harper government over the deplorable state of drinking water in First Nation communities.

Addressing the press on behalf of the four First Nations, Chief Jim Badger of the Sucker Creek First Nation stated that “in this day and age, it is disgraceful that the Harper government has failed to make sure First Nation communities have safe drinking water like other Canadians.  They spend billions on prisons when crime rates are at historic lows but safe drinking water is not a priority.  We are tired of spin, hollow legislation and empty gestures from this government.  Do our people have to get sick, or die, from unsafe drinking water before this government takes real action? “

According to an engineering assessment commissioned by the Federal Government in 2011, the drinking water in First Nation communities across Canada brings widespread risks to human health. Consequently, Chief Badger pointed out that “we cannot stand by any longer and let the Harper government avoid responsibility for this shameful situation.  We filed our court action today in an effort to force the Government of Canada to take real and effective action to ensure we have safe drinking water like everyone else in this country.”