Indigenous Infrastructure: Unfit, Unsafe, Unjust
Decades of underfunding have left First Nation communities across Canada grappling with inadequate housing, poor health outcomes, and limited access to essential services. Despite federal promises to close this infrastructure gap by 2030, recent audits indicate little progress, with the true cost, exacerbated by inflation, predicted to reach $528 billion by 2040. This stark reality underscores the ongoing struggles for improved roads, schools, and digital connectivity, as many communities still lack basic infrastructure such as cell service and safe drinking water.
This ongoing disparity perpetuates intergenerational disadvantages, exacerbating social issues like youth incarceration, homelessness, and poor health. Through this series Unfit, Unsafe, Unjust, the IJB explores the breadth and depth of these infrastructure gaps, shedding light on the daily challenges faced by First Nation communities and the broader implications for Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.
Visit our Mind Games project page to learn more about our investigation into Indigenous mental healthcare.
As Canada’s new First Nations water bill is tabled, lawyer decries ‘legal gymnastics’
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty called it a “historic day” when she tabled long-awaited legislation meant to safeguard drinking water for First Nations, many of whom are left without water to drink, wash, cook or fight fires.
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Liberals are playing legal hardball with First Nations over drinking water
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government is playing legal hardball with First Nations fighting for clean drinking water — and First Nations are fighting back.
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St. Theresa Point First Nation in Manitoba and Sandy Lake First Nation in Ontario have joined a class action lawsuit against the federal government over inadequate housing conditions on reserves. | Contributed.
Groundbreaking First Nations Housing Class Action Suit Begins
Lawyers representing more than 100 First Nations communities across Canada have begun arguments in a groundbreaking class action lawsuit alleging Canada has “deliberately underfunded” housing on reserves.
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Photo by Terrance Meekis, Sandy Lake First Nation.
Ontario First Nations sue the federal government over alleged deadly underfunding of fire protection on reserves
Indigenous Services Canada said fire deaths on reserves are "deeply concerning and highlight the urgent need for better fire protection."
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Rotting foundations. Rampant mould. Sewage backups. What an expert’s report reveals about the state of housing in ‘deliberately underfunded’ First Nations
The report was filed in court as part of a $10-billion class action lawsuit against the Canadian government.
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They need new homes, roads and schools. But Indigenous communities across Canada ‘can’t catch up’ thanks to staggering $349B infrastructure gap
Ottawa has pledged to close the infrastructure gap by 2030. An official said decades of underfunding means Canada has bills “yet to be paid.”
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Jennifer George, who lives on Oneida territory, says she is afraid to let her children and grandchildren drink the tap water in her home. Photo curtesy of Benjamin Hargreaves
Oneida residents say the tap water is making them sick. But across the road, their neighbours have safe, clean water
The water distribution system on Oneida territory — operated by the community with regulatory oversight from Indigenous Services Canada — has failed to meet provincial standards dating back to 2006.
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