Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

True Dough

(20,603 posts)
Mon Oct 7, 2024, 07:33 PM Oct 7

Government of Canada says it's not legally bound to provide clean drinking water to First Nations

Well, good luck with that defense!

The federal government has no legal duty to ensure First Nations have clean drinking water, even if Liberal ministers publicly suggest otherwise, Justice Canada lawyers say.

That's the defence the federal government is expected to mount in Ottawa this week in Federal Court, as it fights a national class-action lawsuit launched by a remote northern Manitoba First Nation in 2022.

Shamattawa First Nation, which has been under a boil water advisory since 2018, and its Chief Jordna Hill are pursuing the case for all First Nations members countrywide whose community was subject to a drinking water advisory in effect on or after June 20, 2020.

The plaintiffs argue First Nations have a basic human right to clean water that Canada has violated, describing the conditions facing their communities as "an urgent human rights crisis." In its statement of defence, Canada argues the government supports the delivery of potable water for First Nations as a discretionary political decision, calling it "a matter of good governance rather than legal duty."


https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/shamattawa-class-action-drinking-water-1.7345254
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Government of Canada says it's not legally bound to provide clean drinking water to First Nations (Original Post) True Dough Oct 7 OP
O, Canada! Has the MAGA types invaded your politics, too? Deuxcents Oct 7 #1
The MAGA types are leading in the polls True Dough Oct 7 #2
My Canadian husband believes this BS argument relies on the idea that First Nations are not "technically" LauraInLA Oct 7 #3
What? That's crazy talk! And it's definitely not helping the generational trauma! littlemissmartypants Oct 8 #4
It is reprehensible, isn't it? True Dough Oct 8 #5
I'd be setting up a patrolled perimeter and daring one littlemissmartypants Oct 8 #6

Deuxcents

(19,950 posts)
1. O, Canada! Has the MAGA types invaded your politics, too?
Mon Oct 7, 2024, 07:37 PM
Oct 7

I’ll bet the First Nations had clean water before anyone knew about them

True Dough

(20,603 posts)
2. The MAGA types are leading in the polls
Mon Oct 7, 2024, 07:40 PM
Oct 7

with another election coming up within a year. But the Liberals (equivalent to Democrats) currently lead a minority government in Canada. So this is their line of defense, believe it or not!

LauraInLA

(1,341 posts)
3. My Canadian husband believes this BS argument relies on the idea that First Nations are not "technically"
Mon Oct 7, 2024, 08:15 PM
Oct 7

Canadians. It’s laughable, and I hope the Federal Court recognizes that.

True Dough

(20,603 posts)
5. It is reprehensible, isn't it?
Tue Oct 8, 2024, 07:33 AM
Oct 8

Hostile taking of land. Creation of treaties and reserves. Promises made and broken.

This is from the Government of Canada's website:

2021
December 22, 2021: The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Class Action Settlement Agreement was approved by the Federal Court and the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench (now the Manitoba Court of King's Bench). Through the settlement agreement, Canada committed to making all reasonable efforts to:

introduce proposed repeal of the 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act by March 31, 2022
develop and introduce new proposed legislation, in consultation with First Nations, by December 31, 2022


https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1697555066364/1697555089256

DO THE RIGHT THING!

Thanks for stopping by, friend! Always good to hear from you!



❤️


littlemissmartypants

(25,713 posts)
6. I'd be setting up a patrolled perimeter and daring one
Tue Oct 8, 2024, 10:28 AM
Oct 8

French speaking Québécois or well dressed Mountie to step one toe over for a handful of dirty snow to try and quench a thirst.

DO THE RIGHT THING CANADA!

Have a great day, True. Always good to hear from you, too.



❤️

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Canada»Government of Canada says...