As Canada spends a half-billion dollars celebrating its 150th year since confederation, it appears more than 150 drinking water advisories still exist, most of them in First Nations communities.
Of the 153 advisories listed on the federal government and British Columbia’s First Nations Health Authority websites as of Thursday, most occur in Ontario (86), including the oldest boil water advisory, which has been in place since Feb. 1, 1995 (8,184 days) in Neskatanga First Nation.
Some communities have more than one advisory, as water treatment isn’t centred in a single hub. That’s the case for Kinonjeoshtegon and Pinaymootang First Nations in Manitoba, where 15 boil water and do not consume advisories are listed.
For Shoal Lake 40 First Nation—which straddles the Manitoba-Ontario border and provides Winnipeg with access to clean drinking water—2017 marks 20 years (7,436 days) since boil water advisories began.
Chief Erwin Redsky said his community of about 270 people never thought it would take this long to resolve the situation. Youth have grown accustomed to only drinking or using bottled water to wash dishes, cook and do chores.
“It’s just mind-boggling, it’s not right. Every Canadian should enjoy clean drinking water,” Redsky said.
Let that sink in, a community has been on a boil water advisory for more than 22 years.
There are people who are now adults who have never used safe water from their home.
Federal and provincial governments do not care about First Nations basic human rights.
‘It’s just mind-boggling’: Before Canada 150, more than 150 drinking water advisories listed online
Mooncustafer 