TORONTO — More than 100 protesters descended on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Toronto home on Sunday demanding the cleanup of contaminated water at the Grassy Narrows reserve.

Unfortunately for the group, Wynne wasn’t home.

The supporters marched from North Toronto Collegiate School, shutting down Yonge St., to Wynne’s house.

They demanded steps be taken to eliminate mercury poisoning in the waters at Grassy Narrows — about 80 kilometres north of Kenora, ON.

“Hey Wynne, where ya been? Promises forgotten,” chanted members of the group, led by the Rhythms of Resistance marching band.

The protest received mixed reviews from local residents as some complained about the passing noise.

Protest organizer David Sone, of FreeGrassy.net, said the group wanted to bring the issue to Wynne’s doorstep.

“The people of Grassy Narrows have to live with mercury poisoning in their homes every day,” he said. “It’s on their plates with the fish that they eat; they don’t get to go on vacation to escape the issue that they’re dealing with.”

Sone called on the government to take responsibility for the pollution from the clear-cut logging taking place near the water.

Mercury poisoning has been a problem since it was first discovered in the community in the 1970s.

When protesters arrived at Wynne’s home, police positioned themselves with their bikes along the premier’s driveway to block anyone from walking onto the property.

Suyed Hussan, of FreeGrassy.net, accused Wynne of not keeping a promise to take action to deal with the mercury pollution.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer said in a statement that the provincial government will continue to work with the Grassy
Narrows First Nation to solve the problem.