C-37First Nations Clean Water Act
An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands
Government bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 16, 2026
- Status
- In committee in the House of Commons since October 9, 2026
What it does
Affirms First Nations control over water services on their lands and sets rules for drinking water, wastewater, source water protection, funding, and reporting.
What it does
- Affirms that First Nations have jurisdiction over water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on, in and under First Nation lands, and extends that to nearby protection zones by agreement.
- Sets decision-making principles, including reliable access, substantive equality, transparency, data sharing, Charter rights, and guidance from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Sets minimum standards for drinking water quality, water quantity and wastewater effluent, using either federal or provincial or territorial standards, with First Nations able to choose the standard that applies.
- Authorises federal regulations on water services, source water protection, operator training, monitoring, emergencies, permits, offences, penalties and minimum standards.
- Requires the Minister and the Government of Canada to consult and co-develop funding decisions, and to make best efforts to provide adequate, predictable, stable and sustainable funding for water services.
- Creates paths for agreements on source water protection, service delivery and enforcement, and requires annual reporting, a five-year review, and a First Nations-led water commission.
Who it affects
- First Nations
- First Nation governing bodies
- Residents on First Nation lands
- Water services operators
- Federal government
- Provincial and territorial governments
- Municipal governments
Background
The bill says Canada must implement the 2021 Settlement Agreement on long-term drinking water advisories for impacted First Nations. It also says section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 includes First Nations jurisdiction over water services on First Nation lands.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Current stage. Now here
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalMandy Gull-Masty· October 9, 2026
“I rise today as a proud eeyou iskwew from the community of Waswanipi, and also as the Minister of Indigenous Services, to speak to Bill C-37, the first nations clean water act. I understand first-hand the importance of protecting water in our communities, and I understand the impact of losing it.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeBilly Morin· October 9, 2026
“Section 33 of this bill says: It is no wonder that first nations like Shamattawa, St. Theresa and others in rural northern Manitoba feel they have no other option but to fight in court.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocSébastien Lemire· October 9, 2026
“I am especially pleased to speak to Bill C-37, but I do so with some regret, even a bit of bitterness, because, in my view, this debate comes far too late. For years, if not decades, the Auditor General has been issuing reports criticizing the impact of the government's inaction on the quality of life of first nations.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPLeah Gazan· October 9, 2026
“Today I rise to speak to Bill C-37, the first nations clean water act. This represents another attempt by the Liberal government to erode indigenous rights while trying to disguise it as progress.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caGreenElizabeth May· October 9, 2026
“I am rising now to speak to Bill C-37, the bill that, as we know, is under debate today, an act respecting water, source water, drinking water, waste water and related infrastructure on first nations lands.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.