Following last week’s dialogue with Minister Rebecca Alty, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Indigenous Services Canada, the Chiefs Steering Committee (CSC) on Technical Services remains cautiously optimistic that Canada will support water protection under Treaty. 

The dialogue at the Treaty Bilateral Table on Water and Related Infrastructure—the first with the two new Indigenous portfolio Ministers—marks a strong commitment toward advancing and truly addressing our urgent water concerns and infrastructure needs. The meeting was a vital step in fostering a constructive partnership guided by respect, collaboration and mutual understanding, as expected by our Peoples under the Treaties. 
Important discussions were raised on the recent Alberta-Canada MOU, particularly regarding the potential for a major project in the Treaty territories. The CSC is concerned that Alberta is ignoring expectations for meaningful consultation on current water legislation, such as Bill 7 – Alberta Water Amendment Act. Chiefs expressed deep concern about Alberta’s continued pursuit of legislative mechanisms that drive a wedge in federal-provincial politics and ignore our Inherent and Treaty rights in our territories.  

Earlier in the week, Chiefs became aware that new federal water legislation is pending and signaled to the Indigenous portfolio Ministers that Alberta has indicated it is not in favor of a federal water bill. Chiefs affirmed that any federal water legislation will need to address Alberta’s reluctance on the issue.

The CSC welcomes the Ministers’ recognition of the Table that intends to discuss our Inherent jurisdiction in water protection, water usage, and water management within our lands and territories.  

We are particularly pleased with: 

• Support for the strong work of the CSC over the past two years demonstrated by Ministerial engagement on an ongoing basis.
• A plan for ongoing dialogue and work to support building Treaty-based arrangements and support that reflects this pledge.
• A commitment to the development of a Treaty Water Protectorate in the Alberta Region. 

We leave this meeting with renewed, cautious optimism and a shared vision for a future where clean water is a reality for every Treaty First Nation. The CSC holds firm to our work, our responsibilities and is prepared to take decisive action to enforce our Treaty-protected rights. 

Media Contact: Gillian Edwards, 587-216-8581