Canada tables First Nations water bill; several nations say it falls short on jurisdiction and treaty rights

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty tabled Bill C-37, the First Nations Clean Water Act, in the House of Commons on Tuesday. 6 billion in federal funding over five years. Gull-Masty told reporters the legislation will advance work on long-term drinking water advisories and recognize First Nations jurisdiction over water on their lands.

The measure follows the collapse of similar legislation when Parliament dissolved in early 2025 and a class-action settlement that made new rules a requirement. Neskantaga First Nation, under a boil-water advisory for more than 31 years, said the bill provides only delegated authority rather than true recognition of jurisdiction.

Chief Gary Quisess and council added that the text does not adequately address concerns of historic treaty signatories and reflects an ongoing infrastructure gap on reserves.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation said he is somewhat relieved that legislation has been introduced. He noted that Pikangikum First Nation, home to 4,000 people, has lacked clean drinking water for a long time and that his own community of Muskrat Dam, population 250, has been on the advisory list since 2003.

Fiddler said First Nations must remain involved through implementation.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige said a new limitation on water in protection zones was added without meaningful First Nations input and that the changes reduce Canada’s requirement to involve First Nations in regulation development.

Debassige stated the changes reflect prioritization of provincial economic interests and assertions of jurisdiction over First Nations health, well-being, infrastructure and constitutional rights. The Chiefs of Ontario criticized the bill for using vaguer language on the right to clean drinking water than Bill C-61, which affirmed that right for every individual on First Nations land.