The largest First Nation in Canada, Six Nations of the Grand River

The largest First Nation in Canada, Six Nations of the Grand River, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking urgent action on unsafe and inadequate water systems that fail to reach most homes on its reserve.


The community is demanding immediate solutions and a minimum of $25 million in compensation. Located in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe, Canada's most densely populated area, Six Nations contrasts sharply with the surrounding regions, where millions of residents enjoy access to extensive municipal water systems. Currently, only about 30% of the community's 13,000 residents benefit from a modern water treatment plant, leaving the remaining 70% dependent on unregulated wells and cisterns that have tested positive for harmful bacteria and other pollutants, as detailed in a statement of claim submitted to the Ontario Superior Court. The lawsuit highlights the severe health risks linked to contaminated water sources, including gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory issues. These claims have yet to be adjudicated in court, and the federal government has not submitted a statement of defense. "Everyone in Canada should have access to safe and clean drinking water," said Jacinthe Goulet, a spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada, in an email statement. "The Government of Canada respects the decision of First Nations, including Six Nations of the Grand River, to seek court intervention for this critical issue." The previous Liberal government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made a commitment to eliminate long-term drinking water advisories on First Nations within five years of taking office in 2015. Although the government did not meet this five-year deadline, it successfully reduced the number of advisories from 133 to 35. In 2021, Ottawa reached a settlement on class-action lawsuits filed by First Nations impacted by long-term drinking water advisories, amounting to approximately $8 billion.
However, affected communities were required to demonstrate that they had experienced drinking water advisories lasting a year or longer, which Six Nations was unable to do, despite its ongoing water challenges. "The criteria for accessing those funds excluded many First Nations," pointed out Dawn Martin-Hill, a resident of Six Nations and founder of McMaster University's Indigenous Studies program.

Several First Nations in the settlement were unable to provide safe drinking water due to inadequate or malfunctioning water treatment facilities. In Six Nations, the issue primarily revolves around distribution rather than quality. Although the community has a relatively modern water treatment plant built in 2013 at a cost of $41 million, many residents remain distrustful of its water supply. The lawsuit notes that while the water meets minimum standards, it does not reach the majority of homes. For many families, including that of Prof. Martin-Hill, water is supplied through underground cisterns refilled by trucks. She estimates that the typical cost for filling cisterns and managing wastewater is approximately $250 per month. This does not account for the initial construction expenses; Prof. Martin-Hill reported that installing the infrastructure around her cistern cost around $65,000. In 2023, the Trudeau government proposed legislation to recognize safe drinking water as a fundamental human right for all First Nations, establish water quality standards, and protect water sources on reserves, but the bill was sidelined when Parliament was prorogued. On the campaign trail, Liberal Leader Mark Carney pledged to establish First Nations' rights to safe drinking water, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre suggested a new tax mechanism that would allow First Nations to finance water infrastructure through industrial revenue. The lawsuit reflects a community growing increasingly frustrated with unfulfilled promises. It seeks a judicial order for immediate remediation of unsafe drinking water and sewage conditions across Six Nations. "The delay is due to the federal government failing to provide the necessary resources for us to have equitable access to clean water and waste management, compared to our neighbors," stated Prof. Martin-Hill. "That's why we find ourselves in this litigation. There's only so much one can request, and it becomes infuriating for consecutive leaders trying to secure basic services for their community when they are continuously denied."
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Edited by BBN