Tory MP walks back comments on First Nations water plant fires

After drawing criticism earlier this week for saying that some First Nations are burning down water treatment plants because of the federal Liberal government, a Conservative MP is now walking back his comments.

Saskatchewan MP Kevin Waugh made the claim in the House of Commons on Monday during a debate on the government's First Nations water bill.

«In my home province of Saskatchewan, I have seen reserves burn down water treatment plants because the Liberal government has done little or nothing,» Waugh said, directing his comments toward Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu.

He added there needs to be «education provided for people on reserve to operate these water treatment plants,» and blamed the Liberals for not doing more.

Waugh's office confirmed Wednesday he was referring to fires in Saskatchewan First Nations in recent years.

A water plant in Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation was damaged by a fire in 2019, and another in Piapot First Nation burned down in 2018.

But no specific cause was reported for either fire. The MP's office conceded he is not familiar with any specific circumstances and said he did not intend to imply anything about why the fires happened.

«MP Waugh was pointing out that after eight years of Justin Trudeau and this Liberal government, what we have is a trail of broken promises and countless Indigenous communities that don't have access to clean drinking water,» his office said.

Hajdu said there's no place in the House of Commons for the kind of rhetoric she heard from Waugh on Monday — especially during debate on a bill that seeks to restore First Nations' inherent rights.

«The first question coming from the Conservative side of the benches really illustrated the kinds of harmful stereotypes that