Ontario government 'sympathetic' to Grassy Narrows mercury concerns

The Ontario government is expressing gratitude, understanding and sympathy towards the Grassy Narrows First Nation, but making no commitments to clean up mercury contamination near the community despite the urgings this week of scientists, celebrities and First Nations leaders.

Respected mercury researchers released a report on Monday recommending a clean up of the mercury that was dumped by a Dryden, Ont. paper mill in the English Wabigoon River in the 1960s and early 70s.

For years, people at Grassy Narrows and nearby Wabaseemoong(formerly Whitedog) First Nations have suffered debilitating,sometimes fatal, health effects of mercury poisoning.

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"We thank the Grassy Narrows First Nations and all those who participated in the release of the mercury remediation report," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said in an email to CBC. "We understand and are sympathetic to the concerns raised."

'Fear of sickness'

Several ministries will review the report, spokesperson Gary Wheeler said and plans are in place to work with Grassy Narrowson a proposed sampling plan, including fish and sediment sampling as well as increasing First Nations participation in monitoring fish and water.

"The fear of the sickness caused by mercury, I see it at home, I see it with my relatives," Grassy Narrows environmental health coordinatorJudy DaSilvasaid at a news conference on Tuesday.

DaSilva is part of a working group establishedby the province several years ago to deal with mercury contamination. It funded the latest research.

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At every meeting of the working group Dasilva said shespeaks of the urgency of removing the poison from the lakes and rivers.

In 1983, researchers estimated the cost of a clean up at $14 million, now it's up to $120 million, she said.

"It's always a price tag put on the clean up, meanwhile it's our relatives that are dying," she said.

On Tuesday, several celebrities added their names to a call by the David Suzuki Foundation to "clean up Ontario's toxic legacy at Grassy Narrows", includingMargaret Atwood, Rachel McAdams, Jane Fonda.

An out of court settlement with the federal government, Ontario and the paper companiesin 1985establishedthe Mercury Disability Board, which oversees compensation payments forpeople suffering mercury poisoning in the First Nations communities of Grassy Narrows and nearbyWabaseemoong (formerly Whitedog).

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobistersaid there is an ongoing lawsuit between the province and the new owners of the paper mill to sort out liability for the contamination.