Calgary residents are currently experiencing a harsh reality familiar to many First Nations communities: life without reliable access to clean water. The city faces a major crisis due to a rupture in the Bearspaw south feeder water main. Mayor Jyoti Gondek has assured residents that work crews and engineers are laboring around the clock to repair the damaged 11-kilometre-long pipe, which supplies 60% of Calgary’s water.
In the meantime, Calgarians are being urged to conserve water—shorter showers, less frequent flushing, postponing laundry and dishwasher use, and shutting off ice makers and humidifiers. The fear is palpable: a lack of water pressure could endanger lives in the event of a fire.
Mayor Gondek has warned, “If we don’t stick to using less water, the reality is we may run out of water. You could turn on a tap and nothing will come out.”
This scenario is a grim reality for many First Nations communities, where generations have lived without clean water due to inadequate infrastructure. Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario, for instance, has been under a long-term drinking water advisory for over 25 years. Children in the community suffer from skin infections believed to be caused by contaminated water.
Similarly, some residents of Tsuut’ina First Nation near Calgary have been relying on bottled water because their tap water is undrinkable.
The crisis in Calgary highlights the urgent need for a national commitment to improve infrastructure in First Nations communities. Clean water should not be a luxury but a fundamental right. This requires a collective effort from government, the philanthropic sector, and private corporations.
As Calgary navigates this water crisis, it serves as a stark reminder of the daily struggles faced by First Nations communities. Addressing this issue should be a priority for all Canadians, ensuring that clean water is accessible to everyone, everywhere.