Kol Ami Congregation
www.kolami.ca
November 2, 2022
Hon. Melissa Lantsman
1118 Centre St #23,
Thornhill, ON L4J 7R9
Dear Honourable Ms. Lantsman
Dear Honourable Ms. Hajdu
Dear Honourable Mr. Miller
We, the members and friends of Kol Ami Congregation, demand that the promise made in 2015 by Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau, assuring that the Liberal government would put an end to all long-term drinking water
advisories on First Nations Reserves by March 2021, is fulfilled.
This demand is in keeping with our commitment as a community to fulfill the Jewish core value of
Tikkun Olam. To take action to heal the world.
The lack of access to safe drinking water on First Nations Reserves, is a violation of Indigenous People’s rights, and a public health crisis. Access to clean water is essential for health and safety, and the Covid 19 pandemic adds urgency to the need for swift action to remedy this. Indigenous communities have suffered
disproportionately from the effects of Covid 19, and lack of access to clean water greatly compounded the
already miserable situation.
This public health crisis is an emergency, and we demand all levels of government work together
immediately to rectify it. Any solution must recognize Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior and
informed consent, and their right to self-determination.
Only with greater cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, and commitment to invest in publicly funded and
managed water and wastewater infrastructure, can we put an end to drinking water advisories on First
Nations Reserves for good.
We appreciate that efforts have been made to correct this serious issue, but too much time and money has been wasted by bloated Indigenous Affairs bureaucracy. Immediate action requires a streamlined process that
ensures the necessary funds get to the communities in greatest need, as soon as possible.
Respectfully yours,
Jay Kowal
President Kol Ami Congregation
Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
9600 Bathurst Street, Vaughan, ON L6A 3Z8 | 905-709-2620
www.kolami.ca
