RESOURCE GAP AND INITIATIVES ON

FIRST NATIONS WATER AND WASTEWATER

FIRST NATIONS WATER SYMPOSIUMHilton Hotel and Suites,Niagara Falls, Ontario

March 9 – 10, 2010

The Resource Gap

• Late 90’s OFNTSC Capital study• Looked taking over the regional

capital budget• Result – foolhardy to take on an

underfunded program

The CFM program

• $1 billion annual shortfall• 2007 study commissioned by INAC

showed a $15-25 Billion need in the next 15 years

CFM program

• Assets on the ground increasing• Population is increasing• O&M is required to maintain these assets• 100% for schools• 80% for water & wastewater• 20% for community buildings

Water - Expert Panel

The federal government must close the resource gap

• “First, and most critically, it is not credible to go forward with any regulatory regime without adequate capacity to satisfy the regulatory requirements.”

IOG Summary Report on Engagement Sessions• “First Nations generally are no where

near meeting provincial standards. Therefore, applying these standards now would be calamitous.”

• Many regions made it clear that resource gap must be addressed first.

Recent Funding

• FNWMS - $600 million• Budget 2008 - $330 million• Budget 2009 – CEAP $165 million (part

of %515 million for infrastructure• Budget 2010 - Budget 2010 extends the

First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan for two more years.

Other

• FNIF – oversubscribed• GTF – $103 million additional

schools• RINC – recreational infrastructure –

over subscribed – provincial and First Nations

• National Engineering Assessment

Key Messages• There is a 2% percent cap in funding• 120 communities on DWAs, increasing trend • $1 billion annual shortfall in CFM program• New programs for other capital needs are over

subscribed • Priority has been on Water and Wastewater• Assets are deteriorating• First Nation population is increasing at a higher rate –

creating demands for infrastructure, schools and housing

Way Forward• Support Economic Development • Comprehensive Community Planning • Energy Projects• Skills Development• Connectivity • SCADA• On-line commence and learning• Alternate capital financing options• P3 - Partnerships with utility companies leading to Capacity

building • Alternate forms of financing (Banks, FNFA)• International markets• Resource sharing

QUESTIONS

• contact: Irving Leblanc, P.Eng.Acting Director – Housing & InfrastructureAssembly of First Nations613-241-6789 x 386ileblanc@afn.ca