Ottawa and First Nations Reach Landmark Accord to End Drinking Water Advisories Within Five Years

27 October 2026

Ottawa and First Nations leaders have struck a historic accord aiming to end all long-term drinking water advisories on reserves within five years, releasing billions in funding in a multi-year settlement. This culminates a series of federal commitments over more than six years.

In a joint statement released on November 10, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations detailed the $7.8 billion agreement. It includes $1.5 billion in compensation to people who endured advisories, a $400 million Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund, and approximately $6 billion for infrastructure and long-term improvements to water systems.

The parties "agree to substantially increase joint efforts to address the clear and growing concerns about safe drinking water in First Nation communities," according to the memorandum of understanding. "We are committed to implementing a plan that reflects Indigenous rights, jurisdiction, and decision-making."

Chronic struggles remain despite progress

Ottawa has repeatedly pledged to lift all long-term advisories, first in Justin Trudeau's 2015 campaign. That October, 93 reserve communities were under 133 advisories. Ottawa committed $1.8 billion over five years in 2016 and an additional $141 million to enhance monitoring. But as of March 2021, 54 advisories remained, covering 34 communities.

"The federal government has not met its commitment to end long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities," Auditor General Karen Hogan determined in 2021. "Progress has been limited by the absence of robust planning and accountability."

With the new settlement, Ottawa has promised "at least $6 billion by 2030 to increase access to safe water on reserve." As part of that, it will fund a "First Nations-led approach to longer-term improvement of water systems" for about a dozen communities over the next decade. Ottawa also guarantees funding "to cover operate and maintain existing and new drinking water systems on a long-term basis."

The largest chunk of the $7.8 billion will flow to water system construction and maintenance. But Ottawa has also committed $1.239 billion in capital infrastructure grants to help communities shoulder the cost of new systems, rather than operating within the existing federal framework.

The $1.5 billion compensation fund is directed at people "adversely affected by long-term drinking water advisories," defined as anyone who lived on reserve, or off-reserve in a community under an advisory, for at least 150 days between November 20, 2013 and June 20, 2021. Roughly 5,000 current First Nation residents fit those criteria.

Still, the accord drew measured reactions from First Nations leadership. After the details were announced on November 10, swathes of the settlement terms remained unfinished, including how payments will be made and support provided to communities with the most chronic problems.

Ottawa and First Nations representatives met in the weeks following the November announcement to bargain through the finer points of the settlement. The final agreement was published December 1, 2023.

Two advisory lifts miss timeline

The settlement response has been more favorable. But advocates say that challenges remain.

"While this money is life-changing, this is only the beginning," said Neskantaga Chief Aumerlia Arquette, who has been affected by a boiling water advisory since 1995. "The people in my community have been waiting for this day for longer than any Canadian prime minister has been in office."

Between the signing of the accord and the full rollout of the funds, two additional advisory lifts did not meet the required timeline. Of the 17 long-term advisories that were in place at the time of the settlement, only 14 of these mandates have been met, per a progress report from the federal Department of Indigenous Services Canada.

"These welcome gains suggest that an end is in sight," said David Stelios, policies director at the Indigenous Scholar Medical Association. "When an advisory comes down, it's a celebration, a relief, and a moment to catch your breath. But the clients and clinicians agree: we still can't afford to let up here. Everyone is looking ahead to Ottawa hitting the next milestone—getting to all 721 houses, lifts, and systems."