The OFNTSC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, for its second quarterly meeting of the fiscal year with significant updates presented to TAC.
The Engineering update indicated the Disaster Mitigation and Adaption funding opportunity deadline was July 19, 2023. This funding opportunity was presented at the previous TAC meeting held on February 8, 2023. The GIS project OFNTSC has begun and continues to require a lot of work in order for it to be fully functional and continues to move steadily in relation to meeting this goal. The Environment team continues to coordinate in-person meetings on source water and is currently on track for Spring 2024. The OFNTSC Executive Director has advocated directly with Indigenous Services Canada regarding the need for funding source water protection plans for all First Nations in Ontario which goes hand in hand with the current Federal Draft Clean Water, Wastewater and Related Infrastructure legislation proposal.
OFNTSC’s Director of Operations confirmed OFNTSC is working on filling Infrastructure Specialist roles and these positions should be filled soon. The Circuit Rider Training Program and related funding was an area of concern that the OFNTSC Executive Director escalated with Indigenous Services Canada as a high priority. Bulk Fuel training is currently on track with various communities on the list for confirmation of dates for training sessions to begin. OFNTSC drafted a comment letter in response to Canada’s Draft Clean Water, Wastewater, and Related Infrastructure legislation proposal. The OFNTSC Executive Director reported Indigenous Services Canada has received the letter and is reviewing OFNTSC’s recommendation.
An inquiry was raised by a large First Nation regarding the requirement of permits for First Nations to access water. This was viewed as extremely degrading for First Nations and their use and access to source water. This item will be on the next TAC meeting agenda with a briefing on the assertion of water permits. OFNTSC will be attending the World Water Summit in June. The next TAC meeting is scheduled for July 5th, 2023 via Zoom video conference.