Liberal government tables First Nations drinking water legislation
Posted June 16, 2026 4:00 am.
Last Updated June 16, 2026 11:11 am.
OTTAWA — Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty has tabled the Liberal government’s long-awaited legislation to govern clean drinking water in First Nations communities.
The text of the new bill was not immediately available.
But a draft bill obtained by The Canadian Press labelled “for consultation until June 11, 2026” blurs the language from a previous version that affirmed access to clean drinking water as a human right.
The previous bill was introduced in 2023 by the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but it died when Parliament was prorogued last year.
It’s not yet clear if any changes were made since the consultation period ended.
The House of Commons is expected to rise by the end of this week for the summer break, which means the legislation likely won’t be debated or voted on until the fall.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2026.
Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
