Welcome to the United Nations
Addressee: Member States
Full Text
The Forum recommends that Governments conduct studies on how the diversion of rivers and creation of dams, mining and mineral extraction, energy development, the mining of groundwater and the use of aquifers for industrial and commercial purposes will affect the lives of indigenous communities prior to conducting any of these actions in order to ensure that indigenous peoples are not confronted with such problems as increasing scarcity of freshwater, the toxic contamination of indigenous peoples’ territories and the lack of access of indigenous communities and other life forms to water, including oceans.
Responses
The Government of Canada has been proactive in addressing priority water needs in First Nation communities. In collaboration with Environment Canada and Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is implementing a seven-part First Nation Water Management Strategy, aimed at improving the provision and the safety of water in First Nation communities. The strategy addresses the urgent need for better water quality on reserves. New funding in the amount of $600 million has been targeted to that end. The strategy also provides for the coherent and structured management of water quality on reserves with a multi-barrier (source-to-tap) approach. The strategy addresses not only the building and upgrading of water and wastewater facilities but also includes effective water quality monitoring combined and sustainable operation and maintenance programmes.
Final Report of UNPFII Session 3 (2004)
Area of Work
