Discussion · Government Orders
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Québécois
“The government took decades to act on clean drinking water for First Nations. There are still 35 communities under boil water advisories, down from 60 in 2021. This long delay harmed people's health and lives. I want the member to tell us if that delay was justified.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for sincerely standing up for his constituents, particularly those in indigenous communities. The Liberal Party, which forms the government, has waited decades before taking action, despite successive reports from the Auditor General. It has allowed disputes with first nations, who have been calling for this right, to drag on for decades. I would remind members that the Auditor General said that, in 2021, there were still 60 boil water advisories in effect in first nations communities. Today, we are happy to hear that, in 2025, that number has gone down to 35. There has been some progress. However, some people have been affected by this for decades. Now the government is saying that this is great and that it will be able to fix the problem. However, it is mainly the Liberal government’s lack of action that led to this situation, particularly when it comes to health, and which is affecting the quality of life of generations of first nations members who live in these communities. Can my colleague tell us whether this delay is justified?”
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for sincerely standing up for his constituents, particularly those in indigenous communities. The Liberal Party, which forms the government, has waited decades before taking action, despite successive reports from the Auditor General. It has allowed disputes with first nations, who have been calling for this right, to drag on for decades. I would remind members that the Auditor General said that, in 2021, there were still 60 boil water advisories in effect in first nations communities. Today, we are happy to hear that, in 2025, that number has gone down to 35. There has been some progress. However, some people have been affected by this for decades. Now the government is saying that this is great and that it will be able to fix the problem. However, it is mainly the Liberal government’s lack of action that led to this situation, particularly when it comes to health, and which is affecting the quality of life of generations of first nations members who live in these communities. Can my colleague tell us whether this delay is justified?