Crutial Laws In Canada Fail To Protect First Nations Reserves

The federal government has not taken steps to ensure that environmental threats are regulated as strictly on reserves as in other communities in Canada, says the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser.

In her Report tabled today in the House of Commons. Provincial and municipal regulations and zoning laws that protect communities off reserves do not apply to reserve lands.

“There are few federal regulations that apply to environmental protection on reserves, and the federal government has taken little action to change this,” said Ms. Fraser.

“As a result, people living on reserves have significantly less protection from environmental threats than other communities.”

The audit looked at how Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Environment Canada have carried out the federal government’s responsibilities for land management and environmental protection on reserves.

The audit found that contrary to regulations under the Indian Act, most landfill sites on reserves operate without permits, monitoring, or enforcement by INAC, as do sewage treatment and disposal.

Septic systems, wastewater discharges, and hazardous waste are some of the environmental threats that are not subject to regulation on reserves but are strictly controlled off reserves.

The audit also found that despite INAC’s commitment to transfer more control to First Nations over the management of their lands and resources, their access to land management programs and training is limited.

“A healthy environment and control over the management of land and resources are critical to sustainable economic development,” said Ms. Fraser.

“Without them, opportunities for First Nations to improve their quality of life and approach the standard of health and well-being enjoyed in other communities are severely restricted.”

Topics: communities, federal governnment, first nation, INAC, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, land management, laws, quality of life, regulations, reserves, standard of health

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