Three long-term water advisories for First Nation communities in Saskatchewan have been lifted in March, according to the Department of Indigenous Services.
Poundmaker, Red Earth Cree Nation and Cowessess First Nation have all had advisories in effect for over a year. Poundmaker has had their drinking water advisory in place since August 2009 and their ban was lifted on March 20.
Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott says that they remain on track in their commitment to lift all long-term drinking advisories on public systems on reserves by March 2021.
“Everyone in this country deserves access to clean drinking water. I am pleased to see a number of both long-term and at-risk short-term advisories lifted in March 2018, continuing the progress being made by communities and Indigenous Services Canada together.”
The Government of Canada has proposed an additional $172.6 million over three years in budget 2018 to speed up the progress on lifting water advisories and completing water infrastructure projects by 2020 instead of 2021.
Other communities that have had short term advisories lifted include, Sunchild First Nation in Alberta, Buffalo River Dene Nation and Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, both in Saskatchewan.