Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.

NYT: Canada's First Nation reserves still have unfit drinking water

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New York Times
  • 26 Dec 2022 12:50
3 Min Read

Several First Nation reserves in Canada continue to face sickness as the water remains unfit for drinking despite government agreements.

  • x
  • First Nation, Neskantaga, in northwestern Ontario, is still under boil-water advisories (CBC)
    First Nation Neskantaga, in northwestern Ontario, is still under boil-water advisories (CBC)

Last December, a judicial victory raised expectations for a quicker approach to safe drinking water on Canadian reserves. However, a report by the New York Times showed that the wait continues.

Due to insufficient bottled water availability on Canadian reserves, most indigenous people residing on territories, according to the report, are forced to drink tap water that has proven to sicken locals.

The NYT report talked to Ida Rae, a 75-year-old reserve resident, who highlighted that she stashed an overpriced jug in her bedroom that she used exclusively to make her great-granddaughter’s baby formula while the other residents of the home, 5, are forced to drink from the tap.

According to the report, Susan Rae, who sold bottled water at her store, explained that a 4-liter jug sells at $12 on the reserve while it costs less than $2 in Toronto.

Rae stated that she does not profit from the sales and is concerned about the expense. "I do not like charging that much for water," she explained.

Related News

Ancestral land of Maasai people trophy-hunting grounds for UAE royals

Canada has failed to supply clean drinking water to several of its Indigenous communities for decades. Court records show that around 250 First Nations have been affected by this problem since 1995.

The NYT reported, that as a result, reserve residents have been hospitalized with gastrointestinal infections, respiratory diseases, and severe rashes. Boiling water, according to the report, has become a daily inconvenience, and entire villages, which are already struggling financially, now depend on supplies of overpriced bottled water.

'We're the original inhabitants, and we cannot get clear drinking water'

The grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Derek Fox, argued that “We’re the first peoples, original inhabitants of the country, and we cannot get clean drinking water,” adding,“We signed treaties. Our ancestors did everything that they felt was right to ensure that this wouldn’t happen.”

Last year, the NYT reported that a settlement was accepted by Canada's federal court in a class-action lawsuit launched by three Indigenous communities accusing the government of failing to meet its legal commitments to First Nations regarding safe drinking water.

Randy Legault-Rankin, a spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada, the federal agency in charge of Indigenous affairs told the NYT in an email that “working with First Nations and communities to support sustainable access to safe drinking water is at the heart of the federal government’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples.”

Adele Perry, director of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba, told NYT “We’re at a point where the lack of drinkable water on First Nations stands as a really sharp symbol of the failures of the Canadian state.”

Read more: Canada's failure to protect Indigenous women ignites rage, disgust

  • Native Tribes
  • indigenous people
  • Canada
  • First Nations
  • Northwestern Ontario
  • Thunder Bay
  • Ontario
  • Drinking water

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS