AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde on World Water Day 2018: "We Must Redouble Our Efforts to End all Drinking Water Advisories by 2021"

"Water is sacred for First Nations and key to a healthy environment and the health and well-being of all living things," said National Chief Bellegarde.
"Yet too many First Nations are living at risk with no access to clean water.
The federal government’s goal of ending all drinking water advisories in First Nations communities by 2021 is clearly a challenge, but we can achieve it by working together in a spirit of partnership and reconciliation.
In Canada, as of March 5 there are 81 long-term drinking water advisories in 56 First Nation communities affecting 45,000 First Nations citizens who do not have access to safe drinking water.
The only way the federal government will achieve their commitments to end drinking water advisories by March 2021 is through significant investments in First Nation communities and by working with us to support capacity and innovation."
The Decade will focus on the sustainable development and integrated management of water resources to achieve social, economic and environmental objectives, the implementation and promotion of related programs and projects, as well as furthering cooperation and partnership at all levels to help to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits to ensure everyone in the world has access to safe drinking water by 2030.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
SOURCE Assembly of First Nations For further information: For media requests or more information, please contact: Jamie Monastyrski, Press Secretary, National Chief’s Office, 343-540-6179 (cell), jamiem@afn.ca; Monica Poirier, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext.
382, 613-290-0706 (cell), poirierm@afn.ca

Learn More