Pikangikum First Nation has been forced to declare a state of emergency due to the critical state of water and wastewater infrastructure on its Reserve. For months, Pikangikum’s Chief and Council have been forced to implement daily water conservation measures to prevent the closure of critical community institutions, including the community’s only school. Despite the First Nation leadership’s pleas for immediate assistance and long-term action from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), there has been no response. Today (May 8, 2025), the First Nation filed a motion in Federal Court for emergency relief from the Government of Canada.
Over the last two decades, the First Nation completed multiple studies for the purposes of upgrading the Nation’s aging water and wastewater treatment facilities – most recently, in 2024. These studies have all confirmed what has been known for years: Pikangikum’s existing infrastructure is woefully inadequate to meet its current and projected needs, including for consumption, sanitation, and firefighting. The existing wastewater infrastructure in the community routinely fails, contaminating the community’s lake and its treated water reservoir.
The First Nation’s News Network aptn writes:
Pikangikum First Nation seeking ‘interim help’ ahead of $2B lawsuit for safe drinking water
Pikangikum First Nation is seeking $200 million from Canada in Federal Court as an interim measure to help it repair and maintain its water, sewage and fire service systems. It’s part of what is now a two-pronged legal battle to improve infrastructure in the community located in northwestern Ontario. In a statement released Thursday, leadership alleged that it was forced to make the moves after receiving “no response” from the federal government on the issues facing the community.
“Nothing changes. Canada makes repeated promises for improvements that never come,” Chief Paddy Peters said in the statement. “Meanwhile, the health of our people is at risk every day.
