CHIEFS OF ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF ANGUS TOULOUSE APPLAUDS PARLIAMENT’S SUPPORT FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR FIRST NATIONS
Toronto, Ontario - Regional Chief Angus Toulouse expressed his support for the motion introduced to the House of Commons yesterday by Liberal leader Bob Rae, calling for the provision of safe, clean water in First Nations communities, stating “The Chiefs of Ontario fully support this call for justice and fairness. Far too many of our communities lack safe drinking water and the infrastructure necessary to deliver safe drinking water and we commend all parties supporting the following motion”: Mr. Rae (Toronto Centre) — That the House call on the Government of Canada to address on an urgent basis the needs of those First Nations communities whose members have no access to clean, running water in their homes; that action to address this disparity begin forthwith; and that the House further recognize that the absence of this basic requirement represents a continuing affront to our sense of justice and fairness as Canadians.
Regional Chief Toulouse shared that the lack of safe drinking water in First Nations communities is not caused by a lack of regulations, but a lack of infrastructure, resources, technical expertise as well as pollution from industry. “Unsafe drinking water and waste water systems pose a severe risk to our citizens, undermining the overall wellness of our communities. 84% of water treatment plants are at high or medium risk in First Nations communities in Ontario. This is an appalling statistic.” The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation estimates that it will cost approximately $228 - $296 million to upgrade the 158 existing water treatment plants found in First Nations communities.
Regional Chief Toulouse confirmed that addressing these needs and the health of water is a paramount concern to all First Nations communities but that developing and implementing a plan of action to address the issue required First Nations’ expertise and involvement at every stage. “First Nations communities have duties and responsibilities to our children, to the land and to the waters that must inform our decisions and conduct. We welcome support from the Government in our efforts to ensure that the First Nations communities in Ontario are able to rely on safe drinking water and waste water systems that meet the health and safety needs of our citizens.”
The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is a coordinating body for the 133 First Nations located within the boundaries of the Province of Ontario. | 
