“It is shameful that the Minister is championing this budget as beneficial for northern Ontario when 15 NAN First Nations in his riding are currently on Health Canada drinking water advisories,” said Grand Chief Harvey Yesno

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A few comments regarding northern Ontario drinking water.

This budget IS beneficial for northern Ontario. It will help to establish infrastructure which currently does not exist, roads, railroads, hydro etc. In time, it will lead to better water treatment, distribution, and waste water collection systems, etc.

One question which needs to be asked is: are these NAN First Nations villages established in areas suitable for modern infrastructure? Do they have suitable geography for modern water systems?

"Traditionally" natives tended in the past to be a nomadic people. In some locations "hunt camps" were set up and became small villages. These villages tend to be in locations where there was good access to lakes for fishing, transportation and good hunting grounds.

Though the villages are in good locations for hunting and fishing, they may not be in the best areas for modern infrastructure.

A second question is: are there other areas within ther traditional territories which are better suited for modern infrastructure and which are more accessable for modern transportation?

NOTE

Basically all of Ontario is "on Health Canada drinking water advisories". NOWHERE is it recommended to drink water in the environment without it first being treated. All cities and municipalities treat their drinking water. Residences and businesses filter water and have it tested every so often.

Though natives think they are the only ones that have to boil "treat" their water for drinking, they are not. They are in the same situation as everyone else.

For disclosure, I am a former employee of the Ontario Ministry Of Natural Resources. I do not speak on their behalf. My sons and I canoe camp regularly in Algonguin Park. We have to boil our water to kill micro organisms in the water. These organisms are present in the water from animal feces, especially from beaver. Beaver are present in almost all water bodies in Ontario.

You can get diarrhea "beaver fever" from drinking untreated water with these organisms present. Wherever treated drinking water is not available (most of Ontario and Canada) boiling water is the best option and is 100% effective in killing micro organisms.

For information on beaver fever see:http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile10.stm

EE