Canada To Miss Deadline To Supply Safe Drinking Water In Indigenous Communities - Minister
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published December 03, 2020 | 03:40 AM
TORONTO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd December, 2020) The Canadian government will miss a deadline to supply all First Nations communities with clean drinking water, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced at a press briefing.
During his first election campaign in 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to end all boil water advisories in indigenous communities, which in many instances have been in place for decades, by March 2021.
"Much remains to be done," Miller said Wednesday. "While there have been many reasons for the delay, I want to state as clearly as possible that, ultimately, I bear the responsibility for this and I have the... duty to get this done."
Despite vowing accountability on the issue, the minister said that the Federal government will not set any future targets, instead choosing to treat clean water delivery as a long-term endeavor. Miller announced that the federal government is allotting an additional $1.16 billion to deliver on the pledge.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, high turnover and the lack of qualified labor were cited as contributing factors for the delay.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) expressed their disappointment with the development.
"First Nations have good reason to be disappointed by the federal government's announcement that after more than five years in office, it will miss its own target to provide safe drinking water to all Indigenous communities across Canada. While there has been significant progress in recent years, it clearly is not enough," said National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in a statement, although did welcome the additional funds.
Across Canada, 59 long-term drink water advisories remain in effect, with 75 percent of them concentrated in Ontario, according data provided by the Indigenous Services Canada to the AFN.
The Trudeau government has faced criticism for failing to meet a number of targets in recent months, including emission reduction goals, a key feature of the prime minister's ambitious environmental policy.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From World
-
Slovakia records 1,100 bomb threats in a day, launches terror probe
2 hours ago -
Football: UEFA Champions League result
2 hours ago -
Equipment of Pakistani peacekeepers begins to move out as UN mission to D.R. Congo ends
3 hours ago -
Ramos joins Mbappe and Dembele in PSG attack against Dortmund
4 hours ago -
Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund Champions League starting line-ups
4 hours ago -
Saudi transportation, logistic sector ready for smooth Hajj pilgrimage
4 hours ago
-
Italy PM Meloni signs cooperation deals in Libya visit
4 hours ago -
Brazilians queue for precious water as flood damage intensifies
4 hours ago -
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of Tahnoun bin Mohamme ..
5 hours ago -
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
5 hours ago -
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
5 hours ago -
China voices serious concern over Israel's plan to launch military operation against Rafah
7 hours ago