Oneida Nation of the Thames signs $43M clean water deal with federal government
Clean and sustainable drinking water is one step closer for Oneida Nation of the Thames.
The community has struck a deal with the federal government to tap into Lake Huron’s water supply system via a pipeline from the nearby municipality of Strathroy via the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) investing over $43 million to support the design and construction phases of this project.
Oneida held a water ceremony before making the official announcement.
Chief Todd Cornelius donned a ceremonial feather head-dress, and clutched an eagle feather to signify the importance of the occasion.
“This is a day that we identify ourself as a Haudenosaunee person, as a Oneida person working to better our nation and our territory,” said Cornelius.Chief Todd Cornelius and Brandon Doxtator World Water Day at Oneida Nation of the Thames on March 22, 2023. (Source: Oneida Nation of the Thames)
A news release from the Oneida Nation said, “The new connection to the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System will provide reliable and sustainable access to safe drinking water to approximately 528 homes and all the existing community buildings in Oneida Nation of the Thames.”
The capacity of the First Nation’s existing piped distribution system will also be upgraded and expanded to deliver potable water and water for fire protection to the existing core community and homes planned for future development.
A boil water advisory has been in effect in the community since September of 2019. Oneida resident Sandra Doxtator told CTV News it’s been much longer since she’s dared to drink it.
“I’ve never drank the water for a lot of years, you know, over 15, 20 years,” she explained. “It just has a… it has a certain taste to it.”
According to Oneida, the water infrastructure project will take 18 to 24 months. “Once completed, there will be clean drinking water directly into the homes of the Oneida community.”
Sandra Doxtator said it can’t come soon enough. “I think that will be good for our community, to drink clean water, you don’t have to worry.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.