First Nation drinking water bill 'a recipe for failure': Hughes
Friday, November 02, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
CAROL HUGHES, MP
ALGOMA-MANITOULIN-
KAPUSKASING
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Hughes sends government back to the drawing board on First Nation drinking water bill
OTTAWA - The Conservative’s can’t just legislate themselves free of the government’s primary responsibilities to First Nations says Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes.
Hughes was speaking to a Senate bill that will unilaterally impose regulations on First Nations for the delivery of and disposal of water.
Those regulations will differ depending on which province a community is located in.
Hughes argued the legislation has many requirements for First Nation communities to meet, but comes up short in helping to develop the infrastructure needed to do the job.
“What this bill does not do is adequately address the needs of First Nations to build capacity in order to develop and administer water and wastewater systems on their lands,” said Hughes.
Hughes noted the bill was not drafted in consultation with First Nations and limits the responsibility of the federal government should things go wrong under the new regulatory framework.
She also showed how it offloads problematic systems onto First Nations and forces them to waste money on their upkeep even if they would rather spend money on replacement systems that could do the job better.
It’s just a case of, sorry, you’re stuck with it - and it’s a money pit,” said Hughes. “In that respect this is a recipe for failure.”
Hughes spoke about the challenge for many First Nations when it comes to clean drinking water as a problem that might surprise many people considering how rich Canada is and how seemingly abundant fresh water is.
“While it might be tempting to think that struggle is the stuff of distant and impoverished nations it is more difficult to admit this is a challenge in many Canadian communities,” said Hughes. “It is even more difficult to admit how many of those - in fact a disproportionately large number of them - are First Nations communities.”
She concluded by urging the government to get back to the drawing board to work with First Nations and come up with good regulations that will help deliver a consistent supply of clean, affordable water to more communities.
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sea shell 11/2/2012 1:13:34 PM ReportSPOKEN LIKE A TRUE UNEDUCATED CHAMP!!
YES, PLEASE LETS FORGET ABOUT THE TREATIES!! WE AS 1ST NATIONS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BOUND BY IT LONG ENOUGH!!!LETS GET BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!
B Boy 11/2/2012 1:52:49 PM ReportSea Shell - since you've brought treaties into the conversation, out of curiosity have you ever actually read any of these treaties?
I did in university and was pretty surprised. If you every got exactly what was stipulated in the treaties, you'd be very disappointed.
Stevie-E 11/2/2012 1:54:33 PM ReportTrick or Treaties.
Tuna-ka-bezhik 11/2/2012 1:59:22 PM Report"Ginga" brought up treaty.
bulletcards 11/2/2012 2:31:24 PM ReportDo as the U.S does. let em build their own casino's on their reserves, and let them make money and pay for all their own needs. You never hear of reserves in America complaining with their hands out for money, because they make their own. I'm tired of MY taxes going to those who do not pay taxes but want to reap the rewards, while im expected to pay more and get less.
the_mage 11/2/2012 4:10:21 PM ReportWhere does it say YOUR taxes go to first nations people? Where is your proof? It goes your government.
Try researching to back up your moaning.
ladylionca 11/2/2012 4:10:53 PM Reportif rankin and garden river built casino`s im pretty sure the sault casino would go under, just like the bingo halls did,,
the_mage 11/2/2012 4:30:01 PM ReportDidn't you know that they are building a casino?
By the way, Sault Ste. Marie's Bingo Halls didn't go under because of First Nations bingo. They went under because of the city's smoking ban.
Cigarettes from reservations are causing the mom and pop stores that sell premium brands to close down though...
freedom1 11/3/2012 8:53:00 AM Reportwhat really going on is our country pays $160 million a day to pay interest on our national debt. Causing less money for hospitals, social services and causing our taxes to go up. Taxes will keep rising and less and less services. Watch "oh canada our bought and sold out land" .
What would you do with $160 million a day?
moem 11/3/2012 1:05:21 PM ReportGinga they pay taxes!!! You sound like an ignorant racist, the smoking by law hurt bingo but GR and rankin are better and smoking or not they would have closed!! As for native cigarettes if you actually reesearched that you would see that there are regulations imposed by the government on their sale of them too, the government's control over a lethal habit and and their feigned desire to have people quit is disgusting!! You want to see a cash flow problem by way of tax, make cigarettes illegal.....
The racism on here is despicable and it makes me sick that sootoday moderators don't do anything about it BUT heaven forbid you call that flash hog David orazietti a loser, well then they start doing their moderator job!! Lol
moem 11/3/2012 1:09:04 PM ReportSorry bulletcards I missed you you are ignorant too!! They pay tax, pull your racist head out of your ass and do some research before you male stupid comments where you whine about what you have and don't have!! Who was here first???? They suffered horrible atrocities by "our people" and deserve every damn thing they get!!! Would you say this stuff to their face I doubt it
bulletcards 11/3/2012 4:40:59 PM Report@ moem
Instead of shouting and hurling labels like "racist" around, can you enlighten us who are "ignorant racists" as you put it,on exactly what taxes Natives pay? It is easy to call us names and say we are wrong. but how about some info to us misguided individuals who are angry at a government who just throws money around to avoid being called racist. I know they are exempt from gst, which from my understanding was to be only on purcahses on reserve land or from native business owners. how it became exempt everywhere on every purchase eludes me. the native cheifs don't do any great service with their Press releases that really just call everyone who disagrees with them a racist. That is usually the fall back statement when it comes to anyone who disagrees with native demands. I noticed you skipped over my point that native american populations thrive and make their whole bands rich in the process as well, without government hand outs. If canadian natives stood up and demanded the ability to start making money on their own land, not through the government hand outs but through capitolism and business ventures i would be right there behind them.
bulletcards 11/3/2012 4:48:01 PM Reportand yes i am pretty sure that the sault casino would go under if our near by reserves opened casino's. simply because they would want to make money. go to any reseve casino in michigan. nice, clean, flashy, complimentary services, great food, great service, and a hotel connected. our government run casino is terrible compared to any of them and no hotel!!!
moem 11/4/2012 12:43:12 AM ReportWrong again, everyone paid gst now that we have hst they are exempt from the former pst which is 8%, and your comments were racist and ignorant means you don't understand something which clearly you don't so maybe you should research before you make a comment, they also pay income tax Unless they Live AND work on the reserve, and property tax off reserve so I guess really you could say that in the grand scheme of things most of them are only exempt from 8% which seems like a drop in the bucket when you consider what they have gone through.... It seems that our first nations people have become the last group of people who it's socially acceptable to be blatantly racist towards....I have never seen so many inappropriate comments in the site, APTN exposed a Winnipeg news site for it, I have flagged this site for them so hopefully this one will be next!!!
moem 11/4/2012 1:29:44 AM ReportAnd where would they build all of these casinos? Would there be enough to supply infrastructure to the reserves, most American Indians live in areas that are developed 78% live off reserve. There are many businesses operating on Indian land, diamond mines for one, but of course unfair deals are struck so companies make money hand over first sucking natural resources from the land while giving the natives a pittance, so they can survive!!! Maybe they should have done more for themselves, or run for office right?? Oh wait wrong!!! They didn't even have full voting rights until 1960, go figure... 1960!!! Sad considering they were most definately here first, there's all kinds of history and information there if you look for it rather than making blanket statements like they don't pay taxes and everything is free!! People don't seem nearly as outraged by the foreign aid money we give out, why is that, I would rather know my tax money was righting an egregious wrong here in Canada!! I hate that my tax dollars pay for religious based schools or pay ridiculous politician salaries and severance, or how about the public servants on the sunshine list, when services don't even meet the demands??? Maybe people should channel their indignation to better causes than posting a " well maybe if they paid taxes comment" every time there is an aboriginal news story!!!!
stiJJy 11/4/2012 6:53:08 AM ReportIndians just don't get it.
guestwho 11/4/2012 11:32:23 PM Reportfree education : digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/vol2/toc.htm
Stevie-E 11/5/2012 11:27:10 AM ReportThe attitude of Indians blaming the "white man" for their strife needs to stop.
The party is over for you guys and if I ever were in power, you would be cut off, immediately. This has to stop.
Start paying ALL the taxes like the rest of us working Canadians and you won't hear racist/stereotypical remarks any more.
Integrate yourselves in the community, get educated, take care of your appearance and not look like a bunch of needy complainers. I know you guys have money but choose not to show it for fear that you will be cut off.
moem 11/5/2012 12:38:44 PM ReportWho should they blame? This blatant racism is sick and I'm white so it's not them blaming you, you're a sick D-bag and maybe if the "white man" is sick of the natives perhaps you could pack your bags and go back to the place your ancestors came from!! Nobody invited white man here!!! Wouldn't it be funny if all of a sudden another country maybe china, came over here and decided to claim Canada as their's, it's no different really, taking what doesn't belong to them, and sorry to say the first nations population isn't very big compared to the whites and other minority groups that came here, and there are many many many non natives who don't pay any taxes and cost tax payers and many other non natives who should clean themselves up!!
I just wish one of you friggin racist people would take me up on my suggestion and walk into the GRFN community centre and tell them to their face your opinion rather than spouting off your BS on here!! You should be grateful that you have a place here, the atrocities our people brought on them is despicable do some research and stop acting like a backwood hillbilly
moem 11/5/2012 12:40:09 PM ReportOh and lucky for us all hillbilly stevie will never be in power so pltzzzzz really lol
stiJJy 11/5/2012 2:43:33 PM Reportmoem, they bring it upon themselves.
Stevie-E 11/5/2012 3:18:24 PM ReportHow am I a hillbilly? On the other hand, I believe many people on the reserve actually fall into that category.
Those are the ones who like to pick fights and are proud for all the wrong reasons, but they certainly take pride in handouts and not giving back. They drive around town in their $60k vehicles and go home to squalor and children who need attention. Their education is FREE.
I respect those who take advantage of the opportunities and not cry the blues over every little thing that was promised them. This constant sense of entitlement is painful to watch in the news.
These people bring it on themselves and I am sick of it. I am positive I am not the only one.
I am all for culture in this city and have many people from different cultures as friends and family.
I paid for my education, I found gainful employment, pay income taxes regularly, I buy food, pay taxes, I own a house and pay taxes again. That's the Canadian dream, but I do find it hard to understand that I have to pay for someone elses because of historical actions.
Thank goodness that we have a country that is organized, that has a developed government in place because if the "white man," otherwise this would be the United States or a third world country.
moem 11/5/2012 4:32:46 PM ReportHow do they bring it on themselves??
And steve-e have you been inside their homes? Sounds like you're making blanket judgements! Have you seen inside some if the homes by the Y? There are many people abusing the system and destroying homes that we pay for right here in the Soo!! The point is that they were here first it was their land and yes what a system of government we have, they couldn't even vote until 1960, so the system of unfairness continues a very long time, there are still many survivors of residential schools today, those schools existed for far too long as well. And like I said, if you're
so upset by it tell them to their faces, go out and publicly lobby against them, educate them on
how you see things and why they don't deserve
your handouts, many of them work and many
own homes off reserve and pay taxes, the vast
majority of them are paying all the same taxes
except for 8%. There are reserves that mimic
third world countries and when they flee there
and go to big cities they need support, support
that the government owes them. They are not
treated the same way we treat other minority
groups, sootoday would not allow these
comments against other racial groups.
Diplomats don't pay all the taxes either when
they live here.....
Surely you must have better things to do with your time if you're employed than to berate and insult an already oppressed and marginalized group of people. How can we think we don't owe them when a mere 52 years ago they got the right to vote?? That's crazy!! And the last residential schools
And as for hillbilly an intelligent person could male their points and opinions known without using racism and stereotypes!!! And really you have to love the " I'm not racist, I have lots of friends who are minority!! " lol
moem 11/5/2012 4:55:05 PM ReportAnd look up this free education you talk about, they don't all get free education they apply through their band and it's given on a case by case basis, those who get it must maintain a specific average. It's not like the "free education" they got in residential schools, the last of which by the way closed in 1996... You know those historical atrocities they speak of, 1960 they got the vote, and that school closed in 1996 so we aren't talking about ancient history here, and of course they did also fight in 1812,
Perhaps everyone should do a little reading rather than just grabbing onto the tid bits of information they hear from other ignorant people, you might just learn something that way... Oh and I forgot about the treaty money part.. Some band members get to line up to collect 2 bucks for their land and some get a free frying pan and a bag a flour... Wow!!!
Dead End Kid 11/5/2012 7:55:10 PM ReportSince the white man came to north America in 1604 from Europe, the governments formed have beaten down all minorities in the name of religion and power. Throughout the centuries, almost every treaty signed by the government and leaders of the many aboriginal tribes throughout north America were broken by the white man.
Today we live in division and why? It is because the aboriginal people are conditioned not to trust the government. The problems today are a direct result of what has happened in the past. Do you not think that the elders of every generation have not taught and passed on to their young accounts of the true things the native people had to endure at the mercy of the great white god? Moem is a little over excited in her delivery but she speaks the truth and is passionate in her frustration.
I truly hope that one day everyone will be treated equally but much damage has been done in the last few hundred years which believe it or not was really not that long ago.
No one is perfect and a man is a man but the problems are real and quite frankly only time will have the best chance to make things right.
Stevie-E 11/6/2012 9:07:25 AM ReportListen Moem,
Obviously you have a significant other that is of Aboriginal descent, and that's fine. I never said anything about those who make something of themselves, but those who expect a handout and not give back to the community are the ones that I despise.
That goes for non-Indians as well.
There are many people who work the system to their advantage.
Do you really think they are crying for their ancestors that went through turmoil many years ago?? I think not! But slight them on the 8% tax when they go off the reservation and you'll hear them loud and clear!
Listen, I have worked with and dealt with many different backgrounds of people and can honestly say that Aboriginal/Indians are by far the biggest complainers when it comes to entitlement of benefits "owed" them. Those actions and marches alone are the reason why I made the statement "they brought it on themselves."
In my almost 40 years on this earth, I have come to dislike anyone who works the system, be it black, white, yellow, brown or red! I can't stand people who live in SSM that feel they can go on pogey and use it as if it was a career-choice.
All I am saying is that I think that the tax benefits should stop. It creates segregation, where Indians will do everything to support businesses on the reserve and then not pay taxes when they are off of it.
The government is in debt, EVERYONE uses the infrastructure that is paid by TAX DOLLARS by TAXPAYERS including the non-tax paying Indians. Therefore that 8% alone would help. Own your own business on the reserve? You pay nothing in business taxes...it's as close as a pure cash operation as you can get!
Is this fair to the rest of us taxpayers? No! If Indians are using tax-funded infrastructure, they should have to pay up like the rest of us.
