OTTAWA – On the anniversary of Neskantaga First Nation’s drinking water advisory, Chief Christopher Moonias and Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu met to discuss how to move forward in resolving Canada’s longest boil water advisory.
"We know that when people think about drinking water advisories in Canada, they think about Neskantaga, which has endured Canada's longest drinking water advisory at 10,591 days and counting. It is essential to rebuild the trust of community members in their water supply,” Hajdu said in a release.
The government and Neskantaga are working on a 12-point action plan, which builds on the existing $29.4 million funding agreement from the federal government to retrofit the community’s existing water treatment plant and a commitment to aid in the design of a new plant.
Hajdu said they recognize the lasting impact on the mental health and well-being of community members due to the lengthy boil water advisory.
"A full generation has gone without drinking from their taps, unlike others in neighbouring cities like Thunder Bay. The government of Canada will follow Neskantaga's lead and continue to fund First Nation-led initiatives meant to support healing from the trauma inflicted by having the longest drinking water advisory in Canada," the release said.
“We will work together so that the community has the confidence to lift the existing long-term drinking water advisory and can rely on a long-term solution to bring safe, clean drinking water towards a new beginning."