Lawyer questions coverage of First Nations water settlement as deal to be ratified
A lawyer for several First Nations says he can't get a clear answer on which Indigenous communities will be covered by a class-action settlement on drinking water — even though an $8-billion deal is scheduled to be ratified in court next week.
Clayton Leonard, who represents several bands in southern Alberta, says he's getting conflicting answers from the Justice Department and federal lawyers who worked on the deal.
He says the government says the money is available to all First Nations but federal lawyers tell him it's only for bands that had drinking water advisories for at least a year.
Leonard says that would leave out bands with recurring, short-term problems or bands that fall just short of the threshold.
He says it's also not clear if the advisories must have come from Health Canada or if band-issued advisories count.
The agreement, announced in July, includes $1.5 billion in compensation for people deprived of clean drinking water, $400 million for an economic and cultural restoration fund and at least $6 billion to support reliable access to safe drinking water on reserves.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2021
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.