OTTAWA—After years of unacceptable delays, Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is demanding the government of Canada stop delaying the implementation of the 2021 First Nations class action settlement agreement and legislation, pointing out a third of Ontario First Nations face drinking water advisories.
First Nations leadership collectively representing tens of thousands of First Nations people and hundreds of thousands of kilometres of Treaty lands went to the House of Commons on December 3 to share their concerns with the country.
Among their concerns are rumours that the government will make amendments to safe drinking water legislation that was previously tabled and abandoned earlier this year.
“In the 2021 settlement agreement, Canada committed to tabling essential legislation and providing sustainable funding to ensure safe drinking water for First Nations,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “More than four years later, there is no bill, no funding and no end in sight for our communities. My question to Minister Gull-Masty and Prime Minister (Mark) Carney is simple: where is the legislation and where the court-mandated investments?”
This historic agreement mandated, among other things, new legislation and a minimum of $6 billion in funding to support reliable access to safe drinking water on reserves. Instead, nearly a third First Nations in Ontario currently face short-or long-term drinking water advisories and the settlement is unresolved. This has prompted pressure from First Nations across Turtle Island.
The previous government led by Justin Trudeau initially introduced Bill C-61 to meet their obligations under the agreement. The legislation died on the order paper when the Liberals prorogued Parliament last January. The bill would have established new safety standards for drinking water, implemented new source-water protection mechanisms and provided financial resources to enable First Nations to meet the new standards. First Nations were instrumental in drafting the legislation.
Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige was one of those who was deeply involved in negotiations around drafting the drinking water legislation.
“I am honoured to have had a role developing this important piece of legislation, Bill C-61. This legislation was the result of years of dedicated advocacy by First Nations and sets out a firm commitment to implementing the right to safe and clean drinking water,” said Grand Council Chief Debassige.
“Canada said they intend to delay re-introduction of Bill C-61 until the spring of 2026. This is unacceptable. First Nations have waited too long,” said Grand Council Chief Debassige, who also holds the environment portfolio for COO’s leadership council. “We have heard that Canada intends to make amendments to the legislation, potentially weakening the legislation. This is unacceptable. Abandoning source water protection and protection zones would be detrimental to not just First Nations but to all Canadians. We cannot jeopardize source water at the expense of the economy.”
The Liberals originally promised to re-introduce legislation this fall, but with less than two weeks before Parliament break, there is still no bill, COO said on December 3. “Yesterday, Prime Minister Carney committed to introducing a drinking water bill during the spring session. It remains unclear what shape that legislation will take and when it will be tabled.
Chief Shelly Moore-Frappier of Teme Augama Anishinabek (Temagami First Nation) told reporters that regional representatives for Indigenous Services Canada’s Ontario office have said there is no more funding for First Nations water infrastructure.
“Lets really think about that. Imagine if the City of Ottawa, or the City of Toronto, or any other city or town in Canada, was told there was no more money for their water. Would you accept it?” said Chief Moore-Frappier. “Would you accept that your children could not drink the water in their own home? That’s what we’re facing today in 2025.”
The Ontario region still has the most long-term boil water advisories in the country.
Chief R. Don Maracle’s community, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, has faced over a decade of boil water advisories. He drew attention to the Auditor General’s 2025 report which found ISC’s progress on eliminating drinking water advisories for First Nations has been woefully inadequate.
“Hundreds of other communities have a long way to go before they can reach parity with non-First Nations,” he said. “Without legislation, there is no enforcement or legal recognition.”
COO will continue to push the government to honour its legal commitment and its promises so that all First Nations in Ontario can have safe, clean drinking water.
