universal access

Affordable housing, universal access to clean water among topics addressed during NDP town hall

Affordable housing, universal access to clean water among topics addressed during NDP town hall

With ongoing boil water advisories in more than 100 communities across the country, Angus said the federal government’s “blanket approach” just isn’t working, and that each community needs to be looked at independently. “For example Attawapiskat, they’re getting their water from a stagnant water pool. I don’t care how much chemicals you pour into that stagnant water, it’s not going to be safe water. Why are we not looking at getting water from a clean source? In Northern Ontario, we have multiple clean water sources. It just means the government has to spend a little more money, put the pipes a little further.”

Indigenous ​activist Autumn Peltier vows to hold feds accountable for 61 boil water advisories​

Indigenous ​activist Autumn Peltier vows to hold feds accountable for 61 boil water advisories​

With tears in her eyes, Peltier has also pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directly about the ongoing threat that oil pipelines pose to the environment, specifically clean drinking water. “I’m kind of still holding him accountable because I’m not going to forget that,” she said. “When you think about Canada, you don’t imagine having a crisis or issue this big because we’re looked at as a rich country." The Trudeau government promised to end all long-term water boil advisories on First Nations reserves by March 2021. As of last March, 88 were lifted, but 61 still remain. Even through the pandemic, Peltier’s activism hasn’t stopped. Along with completing her school work, she’s also been empowering other youth through online events and speaking engagements.