Nearly $8 billion is being made available to First Nations impacted by long-term drinking water advisories.
That funding comes via a settlement agreement stemming from a national class action lawsuit, initiated in November of 2019.
At least $6 billion of the total funding will go towards supporting reliable access to safe drinking water on reserves.
$400 million will go to creating a First Nation Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund.
$1.5 billion will be made available in compensation for individuals deprived of clean drinking water during the prolonged advisories.
Compensation is available to most Nations and individuals who were subject to a drinking advisory which lasted at least one year, between November 20th of 1995, and June 20th of last year.
Some examples of eligible Nations in the area include: the Skidegate Band, Kitsumkalum, Wet’suwet’en, Saikuz, Nadleh Whu’ten, and more.
A map of all Nations eligible for compensation is linked here, and details on how to apply can be found here.
In addition to the funding, the settlement also includes: support for Nations to develop their own safe drinking water initiatives, the creation of a First Nations Advisory Committee on Clean Drinking Water, a renewed commitment to lifting all long-term advisories, and the modernization of Canada’s First Nations drinking water legislation.
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