Alberta's Opposition To Reintroducing Bill C-61 Undermines First Nations' Water Rights

On July 3, 2025, Alberta's Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, issued a press release urging the federal government to abandon "all federal policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness." Among the legislation targeted by Alberta is Bill C-61 – the First Nations Clean Water Act. The Minister specifically demanded that Canada not reintroduce the Bill. This perspective is also shared by Minister Todd McCarthy, Ontario's Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.¹

In response to Minister Shulz, the Chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy issued a powerful joint statement condemning Alberta's position and reaffirming the undeniable human right of First Nations to access safe and sufficient water supplies. The Confederacy rightly called Alberta's opposition "morally bankrupt" and its stance "utterly reprehensible." The statement of the Chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy can be found here: BFC Press Release Re Alberta and Bill C-61