Researchers from U of G and Western University will study water arrangements between First Nations and municipalities in Ontario through new funding from the Insight Grants program of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“On many First Nations reserves across Canada, lack of safe drinking water is a chronic problem,” said Prof. Brady Deaton, Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, who will lead the project with Prof. Sheri Longboat, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development. The researchers received $371,300.

The interdisciplinary team will use quantitative and qualitative methods – including statistical analysis and case studies – to identify the potential for water sharing in Ontario and why communities might engage in such exchanges or not. The goal is to assess water sharing as one possible solution to addressing drinking water quality issues on reserves.

More information on the Insight Grants [1]received [1] by the University of Guelph here. [1]

More information [2] on the Collaborative Relationships Between First Nations and Municipalities in Ontario project here [2].