Mamakwa’s bill for safe drinking water for all Ontarians passes second reading

QUEEN’S PARK – Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa’s bill, the Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act, calling on the provincial government to include First Nations communities in the province’s law on safe drinking water passed another critical stage with its second reading vote on Monday.

Mamakwa, the NDP’s Indigenous and Treaty Relations critic, released the following statement:

“This is a good first step for all Ontarians, but we are still far away from First Nations children being able to drink tap water at home in reserves across the province. This government must not sit on this bill and let it wither away. It must take action to pass the bill and start the work needed to ensure that all families in Ontario can finally have access to safe drinking water, including Indigenous families.”

Mamakwa’s bill moves to committee but the Ford government has not provided a date on when it will call up the bill for further examination.