Chief ‘disappointed’ to see clean water used as a political tactic by Conservatives

OTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin accused Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer of using First Nations drinking water legislation as a political “tactic,” saying she’s disappointed in what transpired in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Government legislation known as Bill C-61 recognizes that First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water, after amendments by the Indigenous and Northern affairs committee, and commits the government to providing “adequate and sustainable” funding for water services in First Nations.

Liberal MP Jaime Battiste asked on Thursday for unanimous consent from members of Parliament to send the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act to the Senate — but several MPs said no.

Scheer, whose riding includes Cowessess, rose immediately afterward with a similar motion that also condemned the Liberal government for inaction, and that was also defeated.

While Cowessess is not under a boil water advisory, Beaudin says people in her community rely on bottled water because they don’t trust what comes from their taps.

“I’m very disappointed that he used clean drinking water as a tactic in this House in order to say, ‘If you do this, then we will do this,’ where there’s real lives that are being affected,” Beaudin told reporters at a news conference.

“We’re not talking about toys, we’re not talking about items that are not essential, but water is essential and you either believe in clean drinking water for everybody or you don’t. And if you do, you do everything you possibly can to work towards that happening.”

Beaudin added that she knows Scheer to be “very genuine” in representing the people of his riding and urged him to get the Conservative party to co-operate to get the legislation passed.

According to government data, there are 31 long-term boil water advisories on First Nations across the country, and 36 short-term advisories.

The situation in the House became heated when Battiste entered the aisle holding a glass of water. Battiste later said he considered throwing it at the Conservative benches after his motion was defeated.

“This is about protecting water. In Nova Scotia, they poisoned our water in the Pictou Landing community for generations, if not decades. I had the chief in the audience with some of her councillors, and I feel like I let them down,” said a visibly upset Battiste.

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu blasted the Conservative party’s record on ensuring there is clean water on First Nations, and accused them of ignoring First Nations leadership.

“So it’s a bit rich for them to use that moment to exploit First Nations people and their need for water to play politics in the House. It’s appalling,” Hajdu said.

Hajdu and Battiste were flanked by several chiefs, including Beaudin, and other First Nations representatives in a press conference following the vote. Originally, they planned to speak about the bill moving on to the Senate.

The Assembly of First Nations held a special chiefs assembly in Ottawa this week, and on Tuesday the AFN executive endorsed a resolution to continue advocating for the approval of water legislation.

The bill is stalled at third reading in the House of Commons because of an ongoing privilege debate that has taken precedence over nearly all other business since late September.

The Conservative party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024.

— With files from Alessia Passafiume

David Baxter, The Canadian Press