A federal judge has sided with two First Nations in Manitoba and one in Ontario that sued the Canadian government over its duty to provide them with safe housing and clean drinking water, in separate rulings delivered Friday.

The federal government has had a duty to ensure Shamattawa First Nation, and other First Nations who opt into the northern Manitoba First Nation’s class-action, were provided access to drinking water safe for human use over the claim period, Justice Paul Favel said in a decision.

Shamattawa launched the class-action, which was certified in 2023, on behalf of all First Nations members countrywide whose communities were subject to a drinking water advisory in effect on or after June 20, 2020.

  • SamuelRJankis@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    7·
    6 days ago

    The reasoning and the article has a link to the judgement if people want the super long legal version of it.

    Favel said in both decisions the Canadian government made First Nations dependent by forcing them to relocate to reserves, and that the country has historically “exerted direct control over every facet of First Nations life through legislation, regulations, policies, and practices,” including control over financing for water infrastructure and housing.

    Also the personal opinion part you’d think Pierre and the Conservatives would applaud this given the stance on “government tyranny”.