March 21 2026

World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22. It was created by the United Nations in 1992 to raise awareness about the 2 billion people living without safe access to water.

While many people take access to water for granted, water has become deeply political. In many countries, water is no longer a natural resource but a tool used to gain power and control. Around the world, war, civil war, and sanctions have deprived people of clean water supplies. But we don’t need to look outside of Canada to witness the lack of access to clean drinking water.

As of February 29, 2026, there are 39 active long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve in 37 communities in Canada. More than half (51%) of the affected systems need operational improvements before the advisory can be lifted.

This is not a new problem. During the Trudeau government’s tenure, the Prime Minister had promised to end First Nations reserve boil water advisories within 5 years. In 2020, the government admitted they would not meet their own deadline.

Boil water advisories continue to be enacted due to failing infrastructure, lack of funds, and lack of training on maintenance. In almost any other town or city where this was taking place solutions would be quickly found. Indigenous communities are still waiting.

At our last convention, NUPGE members passed a resolution to:

• Advocate for sustainable access to safe drinking water.

• Advocate and lobby the federal government to fulfill its commitment to provide safe, clean drinking water for all Indigenous communities, in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

• Call on all federal parties to commit to providing immediate resources to provide clean water to First Nations communities on reserves under water advisories.

• Promote Indigenous-led solutions to long-term water issues, ensuring that Indigenous communities have control over their water resources and decontamination efforts.

• Raise awareness among members, the public and governments about the water injustices Indigenous communities face and the health impacts of unreliable water access.

• Call for a comprehensive assessment of contaminated water sources in Indigenous communities, with a clear plan for decontamination and restoration of safe water.

• Collaborate with Indigenous organizations and advocacy groups to amplify the demand for sustainable, Indigenous-led water solutions and to ensure the government meets its obligations to Indigenous Peoples.

On this World Water Day, NUPGE recommits to fighting for public access to clean, safe water. Water is a human right.