1. AFN First Nations Water Initiative OVERVIEW
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
June 29, 2006
AFN First Nations Water Initiative OVERVIEW
National Housing & Water Policy Forum and Tradeshow
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Toronto, Ontario
Irving “Bing” Leblanc, P.Eng., Special Advisor on Water
February 6 - 8, 2007

2. Overview of Policy Forum
An opportunity to provide your input into the Government’s programs
To hear and comment on AFN’s conceptual policy framework
To participate in breakout session to forward your views

3. Overview – Forum Objectives – Day 1
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
Overview – Forum Objectives – Day 1
June 29, 2006
INAC – FNWMS update
Protocol for Safe Drinking Water
Municipal Wastewater Effluent Standards
AFN Conceptual Water Framework
Breakout sessions

4. Overview – Forum Objectives – Day 2
Funding Track
Industry Forum
will be full day of informative and interactive presentations
Over-arching issues on housing & infrastructure will be presented
Issues such as financing, new technology, training initiatives, opportunities for industry partnerships

5. Overview – Forum Objectives – Day 3
Day 3 will start off with joint plenary session on Financing
It will showcase various industry and First Nation organizations presenters
Health Canada Procedure for Drinking Water Advisories
Feature presentation by Dr. Douglas Cardinal on Customary Law and Traditional Knowledge.

6. Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
Expert Panel –AFN View
June 29, 2006
FN, TC and Orgs suggest Various Options:
use S. 88 of Indian Act - laws of general application under each province for water
Create new Regs By Order-In-Council under some existing federal law i.e.FNLMA
Enact New federal legislation
Recognize FN Jurisdiction- exercise full transfer w/ enabling legislation
Put off any Reg until systems fixed and capacity is achieved

7. AFN-Federal EP Group-Consultation
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
AFN-Federal EP Group-Consultation
June 29, 2006
Report released December 07, 2006
All Feds-AFN conduct Impacts Analysis on EP Final Report options – January 19, 2007
Consolidated report prepared by INAC

8. Expert Panel Report Regulatory Options
The Expert Panel considered five options as possible routes to creating a regulatory framework for First Nations:
Existing provincial regimes could be used, as “laws of general application”;
Regulations might be passed by Orders in Council under existing federal statutes;
Federal Regime: Parliament could enact a new statute setting out uniform federal standards and requirements;
Provincial Regimes: Parliament could enact a new statute referencing existing provincial regulatory regimes; or
Customary Law Regime: First Nations could develop a basis of customary law that would then be enshrined in a new federal statute.

9. Expert Panel report
The Expert Panel, after a legal analysis, concluded that the first two options are not workable.
The report narrowed its recommended options to three with the federal regime option as the preferred approach (option 3 above).
The other options are based on customary law (option 5 above) and reference to provincial regimes (option 4 above).

10. AFN Position Paper – Main Points
While customary laws are recognized as an option, the recognition of First Nations jurisdiction more closely aligned with the 2005 Federal Crown-First Nations Political Accord on the Recognition and Implementation of First Nations Governments was not adequately considered;
A non-derogation clause to protect First Nations inherent and Treaty rights is essential;
The proposed options do not clarify roles and responsibilities of the federal government, and how these would be entrenched in a new federal statute;

11. AFN Position Paper – Main Points
The report does not fully address all aspects of addressing public health emergencies or issues (such as waterborne illnesses) that may result from a lack of access to safe drinking water. For instance, it does not clarify the need for recognized authority of Medical Officers of Health who are mandated to support First Nations public health on-reserve. First Nations governments reject the application of provincial health acts on-reserve as this is seen to circumvent their inherent jurisdiction.
The National Chief and Minister of Health Tony Clement have signed a joint workplan that will explore a legislative base for public health in First Nations communities. Hence, any follow-up to the Expert Panel report must take into account this broader enabling legislation development in the area of First Nations public health, based on the AFN’s Public Health Framework;

12. AFN Position Paper – Main Points
The impact of the proposed options on First Nations’ section 35 rights must be adequately considered. AFN’s legal review has brought forward concerns that the federal standard/requirement legislative option impacts at least three existing Aboriginal rights: water rights, environmental protection rights and self-government rights.
None of the options clearly supports the relationship between the need for a “statute” versus the need for a “federal framework” that encompasses the broader multi-jurisdictional source protection issues;
The issue of liability and where it would rest in any of the proposed options is not adequately resolved. The AFN has serious concerns that the greatest liability and risk would rest with the First Nation Plant Operator.

13. AFN Role in Govt Initiatives
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
AFN Role in Govt Initiatives
June 29, 2006
INAC indicated a joint process and joint development of the Memorandum to Cabinet with AFN.
With the continuing implementation of FNWMS, AFN to participate in the Strategic Water Management on Reserve Committee to evaluate progress
With Summative Evaluation of FNWMS, AFN to participate in the evaluation management committee.
Possible development of regulatory regime, AFN to assist in the development of a consultation strategy, facilitate the process and determine options for capacity building.
MC on Water in Summer-Fall 2007, AFN to provide advice and aid in the development of the business plan and other support.

14. AFN Role: Consultation Strategy
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
AFN Role: Consultation Strategy
June 29, 2006
AFN FN Drinking Water Action Plan:
Three main phases: Development, Engagement, Implementation
Overall Coordination Process:
Policy Oversight – Joint Steering Comm. RIFNG
FN Technical Input – Advisory Group
AFN support to Federal Advisory Group – Secretariat work
Communications
Phase 1 Development and Engagement
Phase 2 National Policy Forum
Phase 3 (Multi-year) Implementation - CIER Proposal

15. AFN Implementation Plan
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
AFN Implementation Plan
June 29, 2006
First Nations Water Commission referenced in the Expert Panel report
Working with CIER to develop a multi year plan of action through several areas
The conceptual framework will be presented at this forum for feedback and comments

16. Other Related Water - SWMRC
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
Other Related Water - SWMRC
June 29, 2006
INAC, EC and HC w/ AFN Joint Response to Auditor General Report scheduled before MC in Fall 2007
Summative Evaluation of the FNWMS: Developing a ToR for an evaluation of the implementation and management of FNWMS.
Will be used as part of Memorandum to Cabinet in Fall 2007
Marc Brooks will provide more detail on this item

17. INAC MC to Cabinet: FN Drinking Water Action Plan – Budget 2006
Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
INAC MC to Cabinet: FN Drinking Water Action Plan – Budget 2006
June 29, 2006
Marc Brooks will report on INAC action plan and timeframes for these activities
Update on the FNWMS and Implementation
Evaluation of the FNWMS
Long Term Capital Plan

18. Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
Other Activities
June 29, 2006
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment – Municipal Wastewater Effluent- October Meeting
Developing a Canada-Wide Strategy to define wastewater discharge to surface water from all facilities including Aboriginal facilities.
It comprises end-of-pipe discharges and overflows. However, excludes storm water and bio-solids discharges.
The proposed strategy will provide a harmonized and collectively agreed-to regulatory framework for the management of MWWE in Canada (one window reporting).
The MWWE quality standards will be implemented equally nationally as a regulation under the Fisheries Act and CEPA.
A separate consultation process with FNs regarding these regulations will be undertaken by Environment Canada starting in the Spring 2007, AFN agrees to assist with coordination.

19. Atlantic First Nation Housing - APCFNC
June 29, 2006
Miigwetch
Thank you