A Canadian bill that would have ensured First Nations had clean water and wastewater services meeting the standards of those in the country's cities is at risk, with the current federal government facing potential collapse.
Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, is one of several bills in danger in the wake of prime minister Justin Trudeau's resignation this week, which sparked the prorogation of Canada's national parliament until late March.
Under a prorogation, bills that did not reach royal assent must be reintroduced once Parliament returns to sit.
Canada's main opposition parties, Bloc Quebecois, the NDP and the Conservatives have signalled they will introduce a motion of no confidence as soon as possible, which, if successful, would result in an election as early as April, more likely late May, closing the window of opportunity to reintroduce and pass the bill.
First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water executive director John P. Brown, told National Observer the bill, however "imperfect", is essential.
He noted it would have legislated "for the very first time that Canada had the duty and obligation to provide adequate access to clean water to First Nations across the country".
The bill would have also ensured the federal Canadian government's legal obligation to fund the development and maintenance of water infrastructure and provided minimum quality standards in which are non-existent within First Nation communities, despite being enjoyed by Canadian residents in cities and major towns.
Mr Brown said the bill would enshrine "fundamental human rights that, up until now, have not been protected for Indigenous peoples".
Mr Brown, who has worked for years towards reforms of First Nation water policy, played a role in launching an $8-billion class action lawsuit of approximately 259 First Nations over the right to clean water. The federal government settled and agreed to modernise First Nations drinking water legislation.
He said the death of the reform bill would be a "tragedy of immense measure".
Indigenous communities in Australia also endure a gap in water quality and reliability, a matter which has been the subject of long-running legal proceedings as Traditional Owners fight for their rights.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told the National Observer the failure to pass bill C-61 would be "a failure to uphold commitments to First Nations and their right to safe drinking water".
"All parliamentarians must protect children in this country, including First Nations children," she said.
Chief Woodhouse said the AFN will continue to lobby for the legislation, whether when Parliament returns in March or after an election. The Canadian Greens and the NDP have expressed support for reforms.
Canada's current Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, said Members of Parliament had a critical opportunity "to right historic wrongs" by passing the legislation but failed to do so.
"During a critical moment to do what was right, the NDP and Conservatives unfortunately blocked the Bill from moving forward," she said in a statement.
"While the future of the Bill is unknown, what remains certain is our work with First Nations partners to ensure clean drinking water for generations to come."
