Ontario First Nation seeks emergency relief in Federal Court over water crisis

Housing in Pikangikum, Ontario, January 19, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

A First Nation in northwestern Ontario is seeking emergency relief from the federal government to address the “critical” state of its water and sewage system as part of legal action launched in Federal Court.

Pikangikum First Nation submitted a motion Thursday asking the court to compel the government to provide emergency funds to deliver adequate water and sanitation services to the community of more than 4,000 people.

The First Nation has declared a state of emergency and filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that Canada has failed to fix the water issue and has caused irreparable harm to the community.

A statement of claim initially filed last year says the First Nation has suffered from deficient water and sewage infrastructure for decades, and most households have no running water.

The First Nation alleges that Canada has failed to provide potable water, sewage disposal and fire prevention infrastructure to the community, and it’s asking the court to order the government to immediately construct and repair its water systems.

Indigenous Services Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pikangikum Chief Paddy Peters says in a statement that he implored Indigenous Services Canada earlier this year to provide long-term solutions for the community’s residents, but nothing has changed.

Peters says the government makes “repeated promises for improvements that never come” while the residents’ health is at risk everyday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.