Atlantic First Nations Water Authority and Canada sign framework agreement to facilitate the transfer of responsibility for water and wastewater services

HALIFAX, UNCEDED TRADITIONAL MI'KMAQ TERRITORY, NS, June 23, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada recognizes Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and is committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to independently deliver services and address the unique needs of their communities.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA) announced the signing of a framework agreement that creates a path for the transfer of water and wastewater services for 15 First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to the AFNWA.

The framework agreement outlines the negotiation process and the roles and responsibilities for all parties to transfer responsibility over the control and management of water and wastewater services. This agreement advances a new First Nations-led service delivery model and represents a step towards self-determination and greater control for First Nations over service delivery in their communities.

The framework agreement represents a key milestone for this innovative initiative as the AFNWA continues to work towards full autonomous operations by Spring 2022.

Once the transfer is complete, the AFNWA will assume responsibility and liability for water and wastewater services to over 4500 households and businesses on reserves, which represents approximately 60% of First Nations that live on reserves in Atlantic Canada.

Quotes

"With this framework agreement, Canada and the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority are taking an important step to renew the relationship with Indigenous peoples by putting control of essential services delivery rightly into the hands of First Nations. This First Nations-led initiative directly supports the advancement of self-determination for communities while strengthening control and management of water and wastewater infrastructure on reserves."

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Indigenous Services

"We are excited by the progress the AFNWA has made and the significance this agreement represents. We are well positioned for success with a utility established by First Nations, for First Nations. There is still much work to do, but we look forward to continuing the relationship with the Government of Canada to achieve our long-term goals."

Chief Wilbert Marshall
Potlotek First Nation and Chair of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

"This is a unique opportunity for First Nations to take control of a service critical to the social, economic and environmental well-being of their communities. The AFNWA will not be going where the path may lead but instead will be blazing a trail for others to follow."

Carl Yates
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority

Quick facts

• The AFNWA is a First Nations-controlled central water authority that will support 15 Atlantic First Nations communities to effectively upgrade, manage and maintain their water and wastewater services.
• The AFNWA was formally established in 2018, after a multi-year process which included community engagements that informed the design of its "hub and spoke" delivery model. The authority will continue to engage with First Nations communities and organizations so that their experience, expertise and best practices are integrated into their service delivery model.
• The AFNWA was established thanks to the First Nations Clean Water Initiative, a collaborative effort with the Atlantic Policy Congress (APC), interested First Nations and ISC.
• ISC and the AFNWA, as part of this framework agreement towards transfer of responsibilities, will develop a long-term funding arrangement which can facilitate access to capital by the utility.
• ISC provided $2.5 million to the AFNWA for establishing the water authority.
• This is the first framework agreement for a First Nations-led water authority in Canada.
• While there are no long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves in Atlantic Canada, work continues across the region to maintain and update water infrastructure to improve water quality and prevent future drinking water advisories.
• This model is designed to be able to integrate new communities into the utility and could capably manage water and wastewater services for all Atlantic First Nations communities.

Associated links

• Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs
• Water in First Nations communities
• Investing in First Nations community infrastructure

Stay connected

Join the conversation about Indigenous peoples in Canada:

Twitter: @GCIndigenous 
Facebook: @GCIndigenous 
Instagram: @gcindigenous 

Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth 

Twitter: @Min_IndServ

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.

SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

media may contact: Vanessa Adams, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, 343-543-7645; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [email protected]