The First Nations Drinking Water Settlement is now accepting claims until March 7, 2024.

In 2019, three First Nations (Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Neskantaga First Nation, and Curve Lake First Nation) started national class action lawsuits to address drinking water advisories in their communities and other First Nations across Canada. 

At the end of 2021, Canadian courts agreed upon an 8 billion dollar settlement between Canada and eligible First Nations that had a drinking water advisory that lasted at least one year between November 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021.

This settlement agreement also included funding the construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure to provide First Nations with safe drinking water in their homes.

Eligibility

To be eligible to submit a claim for the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, you need to be:

  • A First Nation community or individual that was impacted by a drinking water advisory that lasted at least one year between November 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021.
    • Due to legislative limitations, if you are born before November 20, 1995, you are only eligible if the drinking water advisory that affected you took place between November 20, 2013 and June 20, 2021.
  • For a list of Impacted First Nations, click here.
  • Individuals from the following First Nations cannot submit a claim as their First Nations are submitting a different type of claim:
    • Tsuu T’ina Nation, Alberta
    • Sucker Creek First Nation, Alberta
    • Ermineskin Cree Nation, Alberta
    • Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation), Alberta
    • Okanagan Indian Band, British Columbia

Submit a claim

There are two different claim forms that you can fill out. You can fill out an Individual Claim Form on behalf of yourself, and if applicable, you can fill out a Representative Claim Form on behalf of a loved one that is under the age of 18,  has a legally appointed representative, or who is deceased.

There is a Claims Assessment Tool to give you more information about the Claim Form you wish to fill out.

To fill out an online or printable Claim Form, click here.

Deadline

The deadline to submit a claim is March 7, 2024.