Government of Canada says it's not legally bound to provide clean drinking water to First Nations

[True Dough]

Well, good luck with that defense!

The federal government has no legal duty to ensure First Nations have clean drinking water, even if Liberal ministers publicly suggest otherwise, Justice Canada lawyers say.

That's the defence the federal government is expected to mount in Ottawa this week in Federal Court, as it fights a national class-action lawsuit launched by a remote northern Manitoba First Nation in 2022.

Shamattawa First Nation, which has been under a boil water advisory since 2018, and its Chief Jordna Hill are pursuing the case for all First Nations members countrywide whose community was subject to a drinking water advisory in effect on or after June 20, 2020.

The plaintiffs argue First Nations have a basic human right to clean water that Canada has violated, describing the conditions facing their communities as "an urgent human rights crisis." In its statement of defence, Canada argues the government supports the delivery of potable water for First Nations as a discretionary political decision, calling it "a matter of good governance rather than legal duty."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/shamattawa-class-action-drinking-water-1.7345254

[Deuxcents]

1. O, Canada! Has the MAGA types invaded your politics, too?

I’ll bet the First Nations had clean water before anyone knew about them

[True Dough]

2. The MAGA types are leading in the polls

with another election coming up within a year. But the Liberals (equivalent to Democrats) currently lead a minority government in Canada. So this is their line of defense, believe it or not!

[LauraInLA]

3. My Canadian husband believes this BS argument relies on the idea that First Nations are not "technically"

Canadians. It’s laughable, and I hope the Federal Court recognizes that.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. What? That's crazy talk! And it's definitely not helping the generational trauma!

Idiots.

Hi, friend.



❤️

[True Dough]

5. It is reprehensible, isn't it?

Hostile taking of land. Creation of treaties and reserves. Promises made and broken.

This is from the Government of Canada's website:

2021
December 22, 2021: The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Class Action Settlement Agreement was approved by the Federal Court and the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench (now the Manitoba Court of King's Bench). Through the settlement agreement, Canada committed to making all reasonable efforts to:

introduce proposed repeal of the 2013 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act by March 31, 2022
develop and introduce new proposed legislation, in consultation with First Nations, by December 31, 2022

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1697555066364/1697555089256

DO THE RIGHT THING!

Thanks for stopping by, friend! Always good to hear from you!



❤️

[littlemissmartypants]

6. I'd be setting up a patrolled perimeter and daring one

French speaking Québécois or well dressed Mountie to step one toe over for a handful of dirty snow to try and quench a thirst.

DO THE RIGHT THING CANADA!

Have a great day, True. Always good to hear from you, too.



❤️