Ontario RegionFirst Nation Water & Wastewater Action Plan

Presentation on March 9, 2010Niagara Falls, Ontario

INAC Ontario Region

1 in 4 Ontario First Nations is a small, remote community

Brief History of Water StrategyBrief History of Water Strategy

• May 2000 – Walkerton• September 2001 – First National Assessment• May 2003 – First Nations Water Management Strategy

(FNWMS) 5 year program• September 2005 - Report on Drinking Water in First Nations

Communities• March 2006 – Plan of Action for Drinking Water on Reserve• December 2006 - Report of the Expert Panel on Safe Drinking

Water for First Nations• June 2007 - Report on Safe Drinking Water for First Nations• December 2007 - Summative Evaluation of the First Nations

Water Management Strategy• April 2008 – First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

(FNWWAP) 2 year program expiring March 31, 2010• March 4, 2010 Budget 2010 included extension of FNWWAP

for 2 years, but budget levels have not yet been confirmed.

First Nation Stakeholders involved in the Management of Water on Reserve

• There are 126 recognized First Nations in Ontario• 14 Tribal Councils: act as technical advisors to affiliated First

Nations• The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation: acts

as a technical advisor to unaffiliated First Nations• 4 Provincial-Territorial Organizations: guide policy development

and lobby on behalf of their member First Nations for resource allocation.

• The Chiefs of Ontario: is the regional voice of the Assembly of First Nations

Ontario Region FNWWAP Activities

• Enhanced Facility O&M Funding for Water & Wastewater Systems

• Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP)

• Operator Training Subsidy

• Major Capital Infrastructure

• Safe Water Operations Program (SWOP)

• 24/7 Technical Support & First Response Program

Enhanced Facility O&M Funding for

Water & Wastewater Systems

• Enhanced facility O&M funding provided for the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities and systems

• Funding from HQ is allocated based on historical initial FNWMS (2003) O&M funds, based on the asset inventory and related O&M cost models from the existing assets at the start of the FNWMS (2003).

• A total of $9,814,902 allocated in 2009-10.

• Annual O&M plans for water & wastewater systems required.

Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP)

• Funds provided to support the Circuit Rider Training Program and related activities such as operator workshops and competitions.

• Program is delivered by Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation.

• Funding from HQ allocated on a proposal basis for the expansion of CRTP (per regional submissions to HQ in 2008).

• A total of $1,248,582 allocated in 2009-10.

• Annual operator training plans required.

Operator Training Subsidy

• Funds provided to support First Nation plant operators.

• These funds are used for the training of water and wastewater operators which can be used for courses (and travel to courses), as well as fees for exams and other certification- related expenses.

• Funding from HQ allocated based on historical funding for training that was in place at the time of the start of the FNWMS (2003).

• A total of $1,239,500 allocated in 2009-10.

• Annual operator training plans required.

Major Capital Infrastructure

• These are funds used for the construction and upgrade of water and wastewater facilities and systems.

• Funding from HQ allocated based on a combination of historical initial FNWMS (2003) allocations which were based on the needs defined in the 2001-02 National Assessments as well as the additional funds provided through the Drinking Water Action Plan (2006).

• Total budget of $12,674,300 allocated and programmed within the Ontario Region major capital plan, in 2009-10.

• Standard major capital approvals process followed.

Safe Water Operations Program (SWOP)

• These funds are for the oversight and third party management of water and wastewater systems. It can include the installation of remote monitoring equipment.

• Funding from HQ is allocated based on historical funding for SWOP, which was determined on a proposal basis and analysis of needs at the start of the Drinking Water Action Plan (2006).

• To date, a total of $7,886,065 has been allocated in 2009-10.

• Quarterly reports, activity summary report, and final revenue and expenditure report required.

24/7 Technical Support & First Response Program

• Program to support First Nation plant operators with any emergency situations they encounter, which they are not able to resolve.

• Initial support through toll-free telephone service, and if issue is not resolved, a site visit would be authorized and conducted.

• Northern communities serviced by Northern Waterworks Inc. (toll free number 1-866-727-2424)

• Southern communities serviced by Ontario Clean Water Agency. (toll free number 1-800-268-6060)

• No targeted funding provided by HQ and program supported through SWOP allocation.

• A total of $828,886 allocated in 2009-10.• Monthly/quarterly activity and financial reports required.

Ontario Region - Future Activities

• Continue with the delivery and improvement of the First Nation Water & Wastewater Action Plan programs.

• Support Headquarters in the National Assessment of First Nation Water & Wastewater systems.

• Assist Headquarters with the development and implementation of water & wastewater protocols.

• Review Terms of Reference and budget allocation formulas as required.