Ontario must work with Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong to clean up mercury contamination: NDP

The NDP is demanding the Ford government honour the agreement that Ontario reached with the people of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong – and the law – by acting immediately to clean up mercury contamination of their river and land. Sadly, on Wednesday, the Ford Conservatives refused to confirm if Ford will scrap the agreement and cut the clean-up funding.
NDP MPP for Kiiwetinoong Sol Mamakwa made the demand Wednesday during question period at Queen’s Park.

“The people of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong, the First Peoples of this land, have reached an agreement with the provincial government," said Mamakwa. "$85 million was put in trust to go towards cleaning the river of the mercury that has been poisoning the people in these communities.
"This government must act as quickly as possible to clean up the river and the land, and to ensure everyone gets high-quality care. They must, as New Democrats have proposed, contribute to a mercury treatment centre for the people in these communities.
"But to do these things they must consult and work with the people. What contact has the premier made with the Chief and Council of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong?
"So much damage has been done already, and waiting is only making things worse. This government cannot be allowed to drag its feet any longer."