Lesson One: Mumilaaq Qaqqaq
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SIDE B DEBATE INFORMATION SHEET:
Your team will debate that there is not enough money/resources to give clean drinking water to all northern/reserve com-
munities. There is some information and resources provided below about this topic.
Unrealistic Goals Were Set:
https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-cant-we-get-clean-water-to-first-nation-reserves/
Based on Macleans' research, there have been over 10 years of policies developed from 2001 to 2013, and it's clearly
shown that the approaches have not yet made a dierence within the First Nations communities. Trudeau's promise to
end boil-water advisories within a five-year period is just not a realistic goal. There are over 600 First Nation and northern
communities that have issues with water. One approach will not address the issues. There needs to be more individual
consultation within each community to find the root of the problem. Each community has a dierent type of leadership, dif-
ferent geographical location, and dierent numbers in population. Dierent geographical location and remoteness means
dierent types of water management are needed. Northern communities need systems to withstand permafrost. Each
group needs to set up human resources dedicated to water management. Not all communities have these capacities at
the moment.
Water Varies:
https://globalnews.ca/news/5887716/first-nations-boil-water-advisories/
One of the biggest reasons why there are water crises on First Nations, is that there is so many discrepancies between
communities of why they do not have clean water. Clean water can be impacted by where it is originating from, the pipes
it has to flow through, down to how far the water has to travel to a remote community,
The Government's Capacity:
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1506514143353/1533317130660
Ending a drinking water advisory is often complex, spanning multiple phases. Actions to resolve a water or wastewater
issue can include:
•New system design work
•Regular repairs on existing systems
•Permanent repairs to existing infrastructure
•Construction of new infrastructure
Completion of a new water treatment system can take 3 to 4 years on average to complete. Eliminating long-term drinking
water advisories is just one part of ensuring First Nations communities have reliable access to safe drinking water.
Not Enough Funds:
https://globalnews.ca/news/7656235/lack-of-funding-for-piped-water-on-first-nations-in-sask-means-some-on-reserves-
cant-drink-from-their-taps/
Many reserves do not have the funds to buy and create new water treatment sites, new pipes, and new infrastructure.
Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, needs $8.5 million to connect all their homes by a low-pressure waterline
system to a water treatment plant. Indigenous Services Canada would pay some of the costs but it is not feasible, or in the
budget, to provide every reserve with large amounts of money. There is not enough money.
