Pikangikum First Nation takes federal government to court over lack of water, wastewater infrastructure
CBC
When Paddy Peters visits his wife's grave, he says he thinks about her battle with cancer and the unique challenges she faced compared to patients in southern Ontario.
The chief of Pikangikum First Nation, a remote Ojibway community more than 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, has no running water in his home.
"She had to endure going outside to the outhouse when she was sick," said Peters. "My wife passed away without ever seeing running water in our house."
Peters was first elected into office when he was 30 years old. He turns 69 in a few weeks and said his community is dealing with the same infrastructure challenges as when he started.
"It really just annoys me as a leader, why the same issues are still on the table in regards to water and wastewater services in my community," Peters said.
Last week, Pikangikum declared a state of emergency over ongoing challenges with its water and wastewater infrastructure.
The First Nation also announced it's taking the Government of Canada to Federal Court, seeking $2 billion in damages and $200 million in emergency relief for urgent repairs at its water treatment plant.
"We need immediate action that can't wait another 30 years," Peters said. "I don't think I'll be alive in 30 years. I want to be able to see safe, clean drinking water."
The case comes as First Nation leaders across Canada advocate for the First Nations Clean Water Act to be pushed through Parliament in the first 100 days of the government's new term.
The legislation, introduced in December 2023, aims to protect fresh water sources, create minimum national drinking water and wastewater standards, and deliver sustainable funding for maintaining water quality in First Nations.
About 4,000 people live in Pikangikum. Its most recent drinking water advisory, which remains in effect, was issued in February 2024.
Before this, advisories were in place between October 2000 to July 2002 and from October 2005 to September 2019.
"Pikangikum has been forced to declare states of emergency in 2000, 2011 and 2015, all due to the lack of potable or running water," the community said in a news release issued Thursday.
Pikangikum is being represented by Howie, Sacks and Henry LLP alongside co-counsel at Headwaters LLP and Phillips Barristers.
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