205A - Risk Assessment and Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities

October 06, 2021

11:30AM - 11:45AM

The presentation focuses on the research conducted as part of a major research paper for the completion of an M.SC in rural planning and development at the University of Guelph.
 
The research involves a desktop study of secondary document data to investigate the application of risk assessment as it pertains to water and wastewater systems. This research uses a compilation of academic literature, scientific reports, and grey literature to examine existing risk assessment processes as they relate to environmental and human health. It comparatively examines four different risk assessment processes, identifies similarities and differences of risk assessments, and discusses the potential for community-driven risk assessment with respect to First Nations communities. The goal of this research is to promote opportunity for community-driven risk assessment.
 
Overall, the study found there are major inconsistencies between processes, and there is a lack of community involvement in certain types of risk assessments. In addition, past risk assessments position First Nations Peoples as knowledge-holders or stakeholders, but generally not as the leaders in decision making that impacts their communities.
 

Speakers