Four Alberta First Nations are taking the federal government to court to get their drinking water problems resolved.

Four Alberta First Nations are taking the federal government to court to get their drinking water problems resolved.
Chief Jim Badger of the Sucker Creek First Nation said the nation just wants equality. Tsuu T’ina, Ermineskin, Sucker Creek and Blood First Nations hope to force Ottawa to upgrade their water systems, provide support to keep them operational and to refund money the bands say the government has saved by not doing so. “Canada has avoided significant expenditures on account of its breaches of fiduciary duty and the obligations imposed by the honour of the Crown,” said a statement of claim. “Canada should therefore be required to disgorge the benefits it has received as a result of its misconduct.” It is estimated the cost to bring the reserves’ water facilities up to federal standards is about $1.2 billion, with another $470 million a year for maintenance.