Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

government of Canada

B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

B.C. farmers and ranchers can better prepare for and mitigate impacts of climate change, while continuing to support the province’s food security and a sustainable environment through funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Funding is available via the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) program. “The Government of Canada is committed to helping our agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will offer B.C. farmers the support they need to adapt their operations to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change, while protecting food security and the environment for future generations.” 

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and the Town and County of Antigonish invest in drinking water infrastructure

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and the Town and County of Antigonish invest in drinking water infrastructure

This investment will enable the expansion of the St. Joseph's water system, with the addition of a 51,000 gallon (US) storage tank and the construction of approximately 3.6 kilometres of distribution line. This expansion will provide access to drinking water for approximately 40 additional properties, which includes over 650 acres for development. In addition, 2.2 kilometres of distribution line will be added to the Lanark water system. This expansion will provide access to drinking water to approximately 25 properties, including 10 existing residences, a business and over 600 acres for development.

The governments of Canada and New Brunswick invest in improved water and wastewater infrastructure in Bathurst and Belle-Baie

The governments of Canada and New Brunswick invest in improved water and wastewater infrastructure in Bathurst and Belle-Baie

This investment will enable the improvement, relocation and rebuilding of two lift stations in Belle-Baie, as well as improvements to sanitary sewer lines. These upgrades will decrease the risk of flooding for the two lift stations, which are currently located in an area that is vulnerable to rising sea levels. In addition, residents of Bathurst will benefit from the renewal of all drinking water lines, sanitary sewer lines and storm sewers along Chaleur and Sainte-Anne streets. This investment will also enable drainage improvements and the installation of sidewalks. The installation of curbs and a storm system will reduce the storm water infiltration and reduce sanitary sewer overflows at Bathurst’s wastewater treatment facility.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in green upgrades at West Vancouver Memorial Library

The governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in green upgrades at West Vancouver Memorial Library

This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting cleaner air, water, and ecosystems. Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day—ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land. 

The governments of Canada and Quebec invest in stormwater upgrades in Laval

The governments of Canada and Quebec invest in stormwater upgrades in Laval

Today, Annie Koutrakis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Vimy, and Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism, Minister responsible for the Laval region and Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Sainte-Rose, on behalf of Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced a joint investment of more than $24 million to support a new stormwater network in Laval. This project aims to control recurring sewer backups in the vicinity of Monty and Cyrano streets. In particular, the funding will be used to separate the sewer networks by adding new storm pipes and to put in place new measures for the treatment of the quality of rainwater.

Amendments to come to federal legislation following First Nations input

Amendments to come to federal legislation following First Nations input

Within an Anishinabek News article from 2013, the author was concerned that word games were being used to extinguish Native rights. The Department of Justice experimented with various wording for non-derogation language for use in the 2015, Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, which contradicts promises made to Indigenous peoples in the treaties. For example; “For greater certainty, nothing in this Act or the regulations is to be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any existing Aboriginal or treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, except to the extent necessary to ensure the safety of drinking water on First Nation lands.”

The International Red River Watershed Board to monitor key nutrients to help reduce the impact of harmful blooms in the Red River basin

The International Red River Watershed Board to monitor key nutrients to help reduce the impact of harmful blooms in the Red River basin

To continue improving water quality in the Red River basin, including downstream in Lake Winnipeg, the governments of Canada and the United States approved four additional water quality objectives to be monitored by the International Red River Watershed Board (IRRWB) following a recommendation by the International Joint Commission (IJC). These additional, non-regulatory water quality objectives are for the key nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen.

Get them Clean Water

Get them Clean Water

Imagine, after a nice run, you go to hydrate yourself. You turn on the tap and the water that comes out is the same shade as tree bark. This is what First Nations communities have to go through on a daily basis. Clean water is not a privilege, but a human right. It doesn’t take more than a Google search to find out what’s going on in First Nations reserves across the country, yet the government of Canada seems to not be making it a priority. While we in the city complain about vaccines, masks and not being able to attend large gatherings, Indigenous communities are suffering with the lack of clean and filtered water. We all understand the importance of water. We clean ourselves with it, cook with it and hydrate ourselves with it. Seventy per cent of our body is made up of water.

Canada and New Brunswick invest in the expansion of the water system for residents of Memramcook

Canada and New Brunswick invest in the expansion of the water system for residents of Memramcook

The water system expansion project will convert a test well into a production well in the new East Memramcook region. This will expand the capacity and the sustainability of the system and benefit the community by increasing access to potable water. The project will also provide water to residences that are currently not serviced. A booster station and a water storage tank will also be constructed in order to provide sufficient water pressure to residents. This expansion will also provide a secure water source for an additional 175 users.

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