BILL C-61 First Nations Clean Water Act
Advocating for Treaty First Nations 6, 7 and 8 in the Alberta Region
The Chiefs Steering Committee (CSC) has taken the lead in exploring the organizational, community, legal and political impacts of Bill C-61 An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. In September 2023, the CSC received a resolution from the AOTC with the full support of their work to challenge Canada and their First Nations water legislation. As they move forward with their challenges of this legislation, as well as the Indigenous Services Act 2019, they welcome all support from First Nations leadership, organizations and communities – as the risks and impacts of these Acts by Canada put all First Nations across Canada at risk, as well as many of our sacred and shared resources – particularly water.
Update
On January 6th, 2025, stepping down as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau requested the Governor General prorogue parliament until March 24th, 2025. This means a suspension that will stop all proceedings, including debates and votes, without dissolving parliament. For any Bill in progress, such as Bill C-61 (which has not yet been passed) will be halted, referred to as “dying on the Order Paper”. The Bill is removed from the legislative agenda and cannot proceed further unless reintroduced in a future session.
Guiding Principles
The Creator made our people and all living and non-living things, including water as our Relation/Kin, in harmony with the Laws of Mother Earth.
Stewardship/Ownership of water (above/below) and asserting inherent jurisdiction, under Treaty for “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the waters flow.”
Protection of Treaty rights, to live without interference and assurance of our social and economic advancement.
Establishing our own processes regarding water in line with the Inherent Right to self-determination and as demonstrated by Treaty making.
Honour of the Crown is expected along with good faith dealings in line with the special relationship between, and obligations of, the Nations who entered into Treaty.
Respect and Recognition and building partnerships, under Treaty, to understand and not interfere with one another.
Reciprocity between Treaty-Crown partners to recognize Treaty Nations and the continuing Treaty making powers within the Treaty territories, as well as with other governments and key stakeholders for collaboration and partnerships.
Treaty Bilateral Table on Water and Related Infrastructure (Alberta Region)
The Chiefs Steering Committee requested this Treaty Bilateral Table to Minister Patty Hajdu, to which she agreed on April 22, 2024. It is intended as a forum for engaging in government-to-government dialogue between Canada and Treaty 6, 7 and 8 First Nations from the Alberta Region on water and infrastructure needs, sustainability, planning, and addressing issues and concerns with Bill C-61 and other federal initiatives regarding water.
On December 2nd, 2024, Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree Tribal Council (on behalf of the CSC) signed the Terms of Reference with Minister Patty Hajdu (ISC) and Minister Gary Anandasangaree (CIRNAC) in Ottawa. The TOR sign off signals an express acknowledgement of Treaty jurisdiction to water and creates a framework for those First Nations in Treaty 6, 7 and 8 (Alberta Region), who choose, to have a place to address concerns about water and related infrastructure in a government-to-government setting with Canada.
The Treaty Bilateral Table on Water and Related Infrastructure is unique, a one-of-a-kind setting that will not be a Rights Implementation Recognition and Self-determination (RIRSD) Table. All discussions are open to Treaty 6, 7 and 8 First Nations and it must be stated, is expressly not going to abrogate, derogate or prejudice the already established or any prospectively planned tables by First Nations in the Treaty areas.
