(June 16, 2026 – Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Ont. ) Today, the Chiefs of Ontario are responding to the tabling of An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands from the Government of Canada. “The re-introduction of this legislation is a significant step, and we will
(Toronto, Ont. – March 23, 2026) For World Water Day, First Nations leaders in the Ontario region are calling on the federal government to fulfill its commitment to reintroduce Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, and address ongoing drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. A 2025 Auditor General report rated Indigenous Services
(Toronto, Ont.–Dec. 10, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario has released the following statement regarding the provincial government’s recent proposal to remove the requirement for mining companies to get permits to use water in early exploration phases: “We’re deeply concerned with the approach that this government is taking in response to economic threats from abroad,” said
(Toronto, Ont.–Dec. 9, 2025) The Federal Court handed down two decisions on Friday that make clear the federal government has a fiduciary and legal duty to provide safe drinking water and adequate housing to First Nations. The decisions are related to two class action lawsuits, one about drinking water launched by Shamattawa First Nation and
(Ottawa, Ont.–Dec. 3, 2025) After years of unacceptable delays, Chiefs of Ontario is demanding the Government of Canada stop delaying implementing the 2021 First Nations class action settlement agreement. First Nations Leadership collectively representing tens of thousands of First Nations people and hundreds of thousands of kilometres of Treaty lands went to the House of
(Ottawa, Ont.—Dec. 1, 2025) Nearly a third of First Nations in Ontario are currently under a short- or long-term drinking water advisory. On Wednesday, December 3, Chiefs of Ontario will hold a media event to draw attention to this troubling and ongoing national scandal. The press conference will also serve as an opportunity to highlight
(Toronto, Ont.—October 6, 2025) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict and the Chiefs of Ontario’s Leadership Council have issued the following statement regarding the decision to discontinue Chief’s of Ontario’s judicial reviews of the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act: “Recently, our Leadership Council passed a motion to discontinue our judicial review of the Greenhouse Gas
(Toronto, Ont.–Aug. 28, 2025) Aerial glyphosate spraying that was planned for Lake Huron’s North Shore area has been cancelled, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and media reports. The campaign was to begin earlier last week and would have seen several First Nations and non-First Nations communities impacted but was cancelled following widespread opposition
Twenty-five years after Walkerton, a water crisis persists (Toronto, Ont.–May 20, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton water crisis: “The Walkerton water crisis was a preventable tragedy. We remember and honour those who died or became ill. This horrific event has had a profound
(Toronto, Ont.–March 22, 2025) On World Water Day, and with a federal election looming, First Nations Leadership in the Ontario region are calling on the next federal government to enact Bill C-61: First Nations Clean Water Act. “Every year on this day, the world is reminded of the importance of water. It is the very
