OTTAWA, ON – December 10, 2024 – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee has unanimously endorsed the advancement of Bill C-61, a landmark piece of legislation addressing water, source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nations lands. The Bill has moved to its third reading, representing a significant step toward ensuring First Nations communities have equitable access to safe and clean drinking water.
“As the AFN Executive Committee, we recognize that access to clean and safe drinking water and related infrastructure is a basic human right,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “This legislation is a necessary step toward addressing long-standing inequities. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this draft, and we urge the Government of Canada to prioritize the advancement of Bill C-61 without further delay.”
AFN’s Role in Shaping the Legislation
The AFN has been actively engaged in the legislative process, submitting a detailed brief to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and …