Government reaction to this environmental and health crisis has always been, at first, to deny the severity of the problem. And, when forced to admit how bad things really are, the solutions have fallen far short of what’s needed.

And now the community is in turmoil again.

The longtime neurologist appointed by the board to assess adults for possible symptoms of mercury poisoning has quit and the chair of the compensation board is leaving her position shortly. And there’s a letter circulating alleging insensitivity and bias against Indigenous peoples.

Those leaving say there’s no problem with bias but, clearly, at least some community members feel differently.

This past week, Ontario finally raised and indexed to inflation the disability benefit payments, which haven’t increased since the board was set up three decades ago.

That’s an important step, but the community needs to believe the compensation board is treating them fairly when it comes to determining payments. Ontario must take the necessary steps to provide that assurance.

This community has been failed too long and too often already.