Thank you very much.
I want to begin by sharing my condolences for the family of Johnson Redhead in Shamattawa First Nation, here in our region. I know many members of the committee are aware of the tragic situation of a six-year-old boy who was missing for a number of days and was unfortunately found deceased. I'm sure that all of our thoughts are with his family and first nation at this time.
One thousand, three hundred and two—that's how many days have passed since the Liberals were supposed to end every single long-term boil water advisory in Canada. Here in northern Manitoba, in my constituency, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation has been without clean running water for more than four years. It's been almost six years for Shamattawa First Nation. We can't forget that this Prime Minister's preferred method of dealing with communities that don't have clean drinking water is to fight them in court. This piece of legislation only came about after the Liberals lost a class action led by a number of first nations, including Tataskweyak Cree Nation in our region. This shows the extent to which he has failed to get the job done. This is not a Prime Minister or political party that intends to lift first nations out of poverty. This is a government that will only do the right thing when it's forced to, like the $57 billion in this year's budget for first nations that is court-ordered money. It's shameful.
I recently spoke with Chief Hill of Shamattawa First Nation and his team, following his cross-examination by Canada's lawyers. For those who don't know, Shamattawa and 59 other first nations are fighting the Liberal government over its missed deadline to deliver clean drinking water.
I'd like to quote a message I received from Chief Hill that highlights the rank hypocrisy of the Liberals. They may say nice things on one side, but it's what they're doing in court—where they hope Canadians aren't paying attention—that really matters.
Chief Hill shared this with me: “This litigation has been painful. Canada has decided to defend the case rather than come to the table as nation-to-nation partners. The cross-examinations were long and painful. My cross-examination took place over three days, and the lawyers for Canada went through the minute details of Shamattawa's finances. I was asked questions that sought to blame me and my band council for our long-term drinking water advisory. Rather than look in the mirror,” he went on to say, “Canada is pointing the finger at first nations for the entirely predictable consequences of its own actions. This is what happens when first nations take a stand. Canada says that it cares about reconciliation, but through this litigation, it has made clear that first nations are just an inconvenience. Canada's decision to fight first nations over access to clean drinking water is a national embarrassment. They are treating first nations like we aren't even human beings. It is no wonder why our members are the sickest, die the youngest and experience the highest suicide rates in the country.”
What's even more shocking is what the lawyers hired by the Liberals are saying in court, hoping no one pays attention. They argue that first nations don't have a right to clean drinking water. They'll argue that it's first nations themselves that are to blame for the lack of clean drinking water.
My first question is for the Chiefs of Ontario.
Do you feel like the government is doing enough for your first nations? Do you agree with this government's lawyers that first nations do not have a right to clean drinking water?