https://www.drydennow.com/local/funding-is-no-obstacle-for-mercury-treatment-centre

Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller, says funding for Grassy Narrows First Nation’s mercury treatment centre is not an obstacle, and the federal government is committed to making the project a reality.

This comes after a direct question from Kenora MP Eric Melillo, who used his first speech in the House of Commons as MP to advocate for the long-needed project. The community says only two per cent of work on the project is completed.

“The people of Grassy Narrows First Nation have been suffering from the effects of mercury contamination for decades. In 2017, this government promised a treatment centre to support the community. Now in nearly 2020, we have still seen no action.”

In May, former Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Reagan and former Kenora MP Bob Nault travelled to Grassy Narrows with the expectation of signing a memorandum of agreement with Chief Rudy Turtle, to outline the path forward to deal with the long-term health needs of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemong.

Despite a 4.5 hour-long meeting between the federal representatives and community leaders, the signing of the document did not take place. The facility was set to begin construction in the fall of 2018. Former Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott committed to build the facility in 2017.

“I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet with Chief Rudy Turtle,” said Minister Miller. “We had a good, productive conversation. I re-iterated my commitment, and the Prime Minister’s, to build a mercury treatment facility. That funding is not an obstacle. We share a will to move forward.”

Miller also congratulated Melillo on his recent election win and for his advocacy with the project. He added that he expects to provide an update to members of the House of Commons soon. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has also pledged his support for the project.

The Mercury Care Home would provide live-in care for 22 community members of any age, who are not well enough to live at home, but want to stay close to their families in Grassy Narrows. The cost of the treatment centre is estimated to be roughly $17 million.

According to the 1986 settlement agreement, the mercury pollution is the result of discharge from the Reed Paper company’s operation in Dryden, which used mercury in their bleaching process for making paper.

Altogether, an estimated 9 to 11 tonnes of mercury were released into the water. Mercury also reached the river system when, starting in the 1950’s, the Ontario and federal governments built multiple hydroelectric dams on the Wabigoon-English River system. The dam reservoirs released mercury from soil into the watercourse.

The Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek Community Health Assessment Report from December, 2018 revealed that Grassy Narrows adults report higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts compared to other First Nation adults, and has found that community members under the age of 19 had higher rates of mercury-related problems compared to other First Nation communities.