Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, Canada’s drinking water report card says the government is failing in almost every aspect of water protection.

Only marginal improvements have been made to municipal water treatment since the government was first elected, an area where we should be investing to help cash-strapped municipalities.

The report card also gave the government an F for its management of water within its jurisdiction, including first nations reserves and national parks.

Does the lack of a national water strategy explain the government’s dismal failure in water management? If not, then what does?

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[Table of Contents]

Hon. John Duncan (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, our government is working with first nations in respect of water and waste water, building on our water action plan.

We released the results of the national assessment of water and waste water systems in first nations communities in July. We are working with first nations to improve and expand operator and manager training and compliance.

We will be reintroducing first nations water legislation soon to create endorsable standards and guide investments. We are getting the job done.

via Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 046 (Official Version).