Maskêkosihk (Enoch Cree Nation #440) celebrates opening of new water pump house system

ENOCH CREE NATION, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, AB, Jan. 9 2019 /CNW/ - Canada and First Nation communities are working in partnership to improve water infrastructure and support access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water on reserves.

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Chief Billy Morin in Maskêkosihk (Enoch Cree Nation #440) to celebrate the official opening of their new water pump house system.

The project includes construction of a new water supply line and a new water reservoir and pump house to provide a sustainable drinking water supply for the community. Canada has invested $13.6 million to support construction of the new facility. The project will connect Enoch Cree Nation to the City of Edmonton's water system and ensure the growing community has access to safe and reliable drinking water now and into the future. Construction of the new system began in November 2016. Enoch Cree Nation's old water treatment plant will remain in service to provide the community with a source of non-potable water for uses such as fighting grass fires.

Quotes

"On behalf of my friend, Jane Philpott, I am proud to join Chief Morin and the Council and citizens of Maskêkosihk (Enoch Cree Nation #440) on this historic day. I was honoured to attend the announcement of this facility in 2016, and to now be here to celebrate the grand opening is a great honour. I thank the community for their hard work on the completion of the pump house."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"Everyone in Canada should have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate and share my best wishes for Chief Morin and the entire Enoch Cree Nation community on the opening of their new pump house system. This milestone reflects our shared commitment to providing safe drinking water to First Nation communities and building a brighter future for Indigenous people." 

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"Nipiy Pimatsowin – Water is Life. This project directly closes a fundamental gap in the quality of life between Canadians and Enoch Cree Nation families. Furthermore, this project provided 18,000 hours of employment to 38 Enoch member employees, and is the foundation for our residential and commercial development vision. We thank Canada for keeping their commitment."    

Billy Morin
Chief, Enoch Cree Nation

Quick Facts

• Enoch Cree Nation #440 is located immediately west of Edmonton, Alberta, sharing a border with the city. The community has a population of more than 1,750 people on reserve.
• Indigenous Services Canada continues to work in full partnership with Enoch Cree Nation, including their technical advisors and leaders, to ensure on-reserve water and wastewater systems are safe and effective.
• Budget 2016 provided $1.8 billion over five years toward water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Budget 2017 committed an additional $49.1 million over three years towards access to safe drinking water.
• Budget 2018 commits an additional $172.6 million over three years to address water infrastructure in First Nation communities.

Associated Links

• Enoch Cree Nation
• Budget 2016 Highlights: Indigenous and Northern Investments
• Budget 2017 Highlights – Indigenous and Northern Investments
• Budget 2018 Highlights: Indigenous and Northern investments
• Investing in First Nations community infrastructure

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

media may contact: Chief William (Billy) Morin, Maskekosak - Enoch Cree Nation, Direct: [phone]; Matthew Dillon-Leitch, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [e-mail]; Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [e-mail]