http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/pdfs/Water_Charter_Aug_4_2010.pdf
While this is a positive statement of intent of the signatory governments (and there is much that I could query as to how implementation of the Water Charter will be monitored to ensure that it avoids being nothing more than opportunistic political puffery...but that is for another post), I was dismayed to see that the uniquely challenging water problems facing First Nations was forgotten (or avoided) by the Premiers.
Focussing upon conservation, efficiency, and climate change impacts is not a priority when you are one of the 1 in 5 First Nations that doesn't have basic access to drinkable water. Setting a goal to have all First Nations have the access to water of the same or similar quality as all other Canadians would have been a courageous and appropriate goal. Instead, by their omission, First Nations are treated by the Premiers as part of 'the other', those that reside on federal land and therefore are not a great concern to the provinces, despite the fact that sources of pollution of water often begin off-reserve (meaning, on provincial land) and then flow onto First Nation reserve land to be addressed. And, this despite the fact the First Nations are also citizens of the province or territory in which they reside.