The federal government has announced a timeline for long-awaited legislation aimed at ensuring clean drinking water in First Nations communities. The proposed law is slated to be introduced in the spring of 2026.
AFN Leadership Outlines Key Priorities
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has been vocal about the need for concrete action. While welcoming the commitment on water, she has emphasized that commitments on policing and water legislation remain critical priorities for First Nations across the country. This legislation represents a significant step toward addressing a longstanding issue that has plagued many Indigenous communities for decades.
A Path Toward Resolution
The promise of specific clean water legislation follows years of advocacy, legal challenges, and federal commitments to end all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on First Nations reserves. The development of this law is expected to create a more stable and accountable framework for water management and infrastructure funding, moving beyond project-by-project solutions to establish enduring rights and standards.
The announcement, made in early December 2025, sets the stage for parliamentary debate and consultation with First Nations partners in the coming months. The success of the legislation will likely depend on its alignment with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and adequate, sustained funding for implementation and maintenance.
