Several First Nations in Northeast B.C. and their members are eligible for compensation for unclean drinking water as part of an $8-billion class action lawsuit settled last year with the federal government.
The First Nations Drinking Water Settlement covers communities that were subject to a drinking water advisory lasting a year or longer between Nov. 20, 1995, and June 20, 2021, according to a news release.
Impacted First Nations in Northeast B.C. include Fort Nelson, Halfway River, and Saulteau.
"We are encouraging individuals to submit a claim for compensation as soon as possible and are offering real support to help them in the process,” said class counsel Darian Baskatawang in a statement.
The settlement was approved by the Federal Court and the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba in December 2021.
According to the federal government, the $8-billion compensation package includes $1.5 billion for individuals who were “deprived of clean drinking water,” as well as $6 billion for water infrastructure building and operations in First Nations.
The settlement was opened for claims earlier this year, with a deadline to submit by March 7, 2023.
