"As a result, people living on reserves have significantly less protection from environmental threats than other communities," says Ms. Fraser.

The report stated that contrary to regulations under the Indian Act, most landfill sites and sewage treatments on reserves operate without permits, monitoring, or enforcement by INAC. Septic systems, wastewater discharges, and hazardous waste are some of the environmental threats not subject to regulation on reserves, but which are strictly controlled off reserves.

The Auditor General also found that despite INAC's commitment to transfer more control to First Nations over management of their lands and resources, their access to land management programs and training is limited.

The INAC agreed with all of the comments made in the Auditor General's Report and states throughout the report that they will work to develop strategies to identify and close regulatory environmental gaps on reserves.