Grassy Narrows chief urges Trudeau to clean up mercury

The federal government has a responsibility to clean up mercury in Grassy Narrows’ river

from Grassy Narrows support

The chief of Grassy Narrows sent three letters to the Prime Minister in the past year, urging him to take action to clean up the mercury in the English-Wabigoon river system.

Yesterday, the Globe and Mail reported that the letters have received no response from the federal government so far.

The federal government has a responsibility for the health of First Nations, cultural fisheries, and treaty and fiduciary responsibilities for the well-being of First Nations.

Chief Simon Fobister says that Trudeau’s silence is troubling. In his latest letter to the Prime Minister, Fobister wrote:

“You have made important election promises to repair Canada’s relationship with First Nations and to right many of the wrongs that have been done to First Nations people… We consider those promises to be sacred and we are hopeful that you will honour your word.”

Between 1962 and 1970, the English-Wabigoon river system was contaminated with 9 tonnes of mercury by an upstream pulp and paper mill. Dangerous levels of mercury and severe health impacts persist to this day. Fish in the river system are the most mercury-contaminated in Ontario.

But a report commissioned by Grassy Narrows released in May 2016 shows that the river can be safely cleaned.