Last week, the Ontario government introduced legislation to set up an $85 million trust for the long-awaited cleanup of the mercury-contaminated Wabigoon River, which has poisoned for generations the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation and nearby Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) Independent First Nation.

The trust legally secures the millions of dollars necessary to start the clean up the water system, regardless of who is in power at Queen’s Park — for good reason. Both First Nations are legitimately cautious of political promises, given the decades of foot-dragging by governments of all political stripes.

Nine different Ontario governments (Liberal, Conservative and NDP) have held office since 1962, when the Reed pulp-and-paper mill in Dryden began dumping untreated mercury waste into the Wabigoon River — more than 9,000 kilograms until 1970. Despite clear evidence of harm, people living downstream have suffered from persistent political indifference and inaction to their plight.

Former Environment Minister Glen Murray lamented the “gross neglect” of the people of Grassy Narrows when he announced the $85 million cleanup fund last summer. In an interview with the Toronto Star he admitted, “I am embarrassed as a Canadian that this ever happened and I can’t understand how people for 50 years sat in that environment office knowing this was going on as a minister and simply didn’t do anything about it.”

Murray’s candour is refreshing, but of little consequence if those in power today and in future don’t prioritize action over further rhetoric and yet more unfulfilled promises.

A long-term Star investigation and fieldwork by the environmental organization Earthroots reveals that despite claiming ignorance, the Ontario government has known about the ongoing grave risk posed by contaminated soil and groundwater under the mill since 1990.

A 2014 health study by Japanese experts concluded that 90 per cent of people tested in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations exhibit symptoms of mercury poisoning, including numbness in fingertips and lips, loss of co-ordination, trembling and other neuromuscular conditions. Many children suffer from mercury-related developmental problems that continue into adulthood.

While early research suggests that people were likely at first exposed to mercury through the ingestion of contaminated fish taken from the Wabigoon River, recent studies indicate that mercury can be passed on from mother to child through the placenta. Contamination affects the middle-aged and elderly who were alive when the mercury dumping first happened, and people born more than 50 years since.

Renowned aquatic experts, including John Rudd and David Schindler, have advised the Ontario government that if remediation action is taken immediately, such as adding clean clay to the Wabigoon River to help dilute, bury and isolate mercury contaminants, levels of toxic pollutants will begin to decline, eventually reaching safe levels over the coming decades.

But while such actions may bring an end to intergenerational poisoning, it won’t address the dire health needs of those already exposed to mercury pollution who continue to suffer discomfort, pain and early death.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott must heed the recent request by Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister to fund the building and operation of a Mercury Home and Treatment Centre.

Like most Indigenous communities in Canada, the people of Grassy Narrows and nearby Whitedog First Nation have inadequate access to basic health care, let alone the treatment necessary to address mercury poisoning.

This is unacceptable. The federal government, noticeably absent in its fiduciary duty to the affected First Nations (despite its obligations under Treaty 3 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), must ensure that mercury poisoning sufferers receive specialized treatment and palliative care, in a culturally appropriate manner within their communities. Such a facility would provide residential care for people who cannot live at home, including children with severe disabilities and elders nearing end of life, and outpatient care.

Beginning in the 1950s, the Chisso Corp. dumped mercury in Minamata, Japan, killing more than 100 people and poisoning thousands. Today, Minamata mercury survivors and their poisoned children and grandchildren have access to a state-of-the art health facility. There is no reason why a wealthy First World country like Canada can’t ensure that Indigenous people here receive the same level of care.

The people of Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations have waited too long for the cleanup of their contaminated river. They shouldn’t have to suffer the additional indignity of living with the effects of mercury poisoning in isolation and poverty.

They deserve proper health care and support from both the Ontario and federal governments.