Quantifiable progress of the First Nations Water Management Strategy, 2001–2013: Ready for regulation?

Abstract

Drinking water security is a serious issue for many First Nations reserve communities in Canada. Over the last decade, CAD $2 billion has been invested to improve the situation by way of several key policies. Though action plans have been developed, expert panels have been struck and commissioned assessments have occurred, little progress has been reported, and on-reserve communities suffering through drinking water emergencies continue to be featured in the media. This paper presents an evidence-based critical analysis of federal policies related to drinking water on First Nations lands, and their associated follow-up progress reports and commissioned assessments. The goals and outcomes of policies since 2001 are noted, and the scope and outcomes of each are compared. This study uses an exploratory analysis of government-documented quantifiable indicators to assess the progress made through the implementation of varied policies and expert panel recommendations. The analysis highlights shortfalls in the collection of indicator data that show that communities have the technical capacities to meet policy requirements. The effectiveness of government policies to prepare communities for the imposition of regulations introduced through the passing of Bill S-8, The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act (2012), is discussed.