Three years after settling two class-action lawsuits over unsafe drinking water on First Nations for $8 billion, the Canadian government faces a new legal battle. Shamattawa First Nation is suing the government for $1.1 billion, claiming treated water causes health problems and alleging Canada breached its fiduciary duty by failing to ensure safe drinking water.
Three years after Ottawa settled two class-action lawsuits over un safe drinking water on First Nations for $8-billion, government lawyers will appear in Federal Court this week to fight a third class action that could add another $1-billion to the government’s ballooning First Nations water bill.
So far, more than 50 other First Nations have signed on to the class action, which claims $1.1-billion in damages. In its statement of defence, Ottawa has countered that it has no “legal obligation or duty to the plaintiffs as Canada’s supports for First Nations are provided as a matter of good governance rather than legal duty.”
The NDP MP for the riding encompassing Shamattawa calls the government’s approach hypocritical. “This was core to the Liberal brand in terms of their commitment to reconciliation and First Nations,” Niki Ashton said. “And lo and behold, on one side of their mouths, they’re saying we’re committed to clean drinking water for First Nations, and, on the other, directing their lawyers to fight First Nations who are only seeking this basic right.
Lawsuit Water Crisis First Nations Safe Drinking Water Class Action Federal Court Indigenous Rights
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