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While Canada’s overall water quality is among the best globally — in 2016 a small town in British Columbia����— First Nations have long struggled for access to safe drinking water.

����dz���,��, to�������Ի���, the commitment to solve drinking water for Indigenous communities has long been a statement made by many sitting prime ministers and hopefuls.

• Photo above: In an photo from 2016, Potlotek First Nation resident Patricia Paul holds a sample of water she says came from her taps at home. In December 2019 the community got a new water treatment system. Photo by: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Wadden

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As early as 1991,��. Thirty years later, many��.

Elections are a time for promises. For many political campaigns, committing to resolving the drinking water crisis has been an easy����without treading into controversial territory, it’s a safe promise. The commitment to Indigenous water issues within election platforms is the proverbial low-hanging fruit.

Reconciliation and hollow statements

This year’s election is no different. From the NDP to the Conservatives, every election platform contains a commitment to reconciliation. And reconciliation is clearly a Canadian priority,��.

There has been a notable shift in this year’s��. So it could be argued that omitting Indigenous issues from your platform would be a catastrophic mistake.

What is less certain is whether promises amount to��. If you want to be elected, you make promises with broad appeal. A vague promise is exactly what election platforms are.

There are no clear paths or action plans. There is a lack of meaningful commitment within these Indigenous-centred election platforms. As��: “First Nations don’t appreciate being used as a wedge issue in the pursuit of power in Ottawa.”

Which party says what?

The NDP have stated that “,” promising to lift drinking water advisories and address transportation and energy for Indigenous communities. The NDP have also committed to addressing public services, health care, justice, economic development, education, housing, children in care, the legacy of residential schools and Indigenous rights��.

But they can afford to be more direct.��.

The����toes a line, trying to appeal to the masses. Their commitments to reconciliation relate to housing, along with justice, health care, children and the legacy of residential schools. And there is an����in their platform.

While the Conservatives have commented that the��,” their platform targets advisories, high-risk systems and enhanced governance.

Start making meaningful change

Regardless of the political party, committing to fixing the water crisis seems to be an area of perceived consensus. And of course, it should be —��. Water����that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

, the effects of unsafe drinking water are profound.

The Liberal government can tout their water wins,��, while competing parties comment on the��.

And while the focus of campaign promises on the human right to safe water is expected, it also means that neglected community infrastructure continues to fall down the list of priorities.

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Infrastructure is vital to�������Ի���. The����is vast. Election promises are no longer enough.

When will we stop making promises and start making meaningful change? These very election promises that span across all parties highlight areas of consensus. If there is agreement, then isn’t it time to stop making it a campaign promise? Focus election promises on the “how” and “when” — because the “why” is painfully obvious.

Let’s set down the political partisanship and work collectively on true reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. True reconciliation doesn’t start with campaign promises.