Liberals need to take immediate action to clean up mercury in Grassy Narrows

(Queen’s Park) – After over 40 years of mercury poisoning, it’s time for action in Grassy Narrows. 

“It is unacceptable that the Grassy Narrows First Nation continues to suffer from the effects of mercury poisoning over 40 years ago,” says Mike Schreiner, GPO leader. 

“We need to take any reasonable means of lessening the mercury problems in Grassy Narrows, including physically removing mercury from polluted silt in the river system and limiting clear cut foresting in the area,” adds Schreiner.

An expert report released this week has shown that at least parts of the river and watershed can be remediated. 

For eight years in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a paper mill in Dryden, Ont., dumped 20,000 pounds of mercury into the English-Wabigoon River in northwestern Ontario.

The community has been under a boil water advisory for over a year.

“Everyone in Ontario should have access to clean drinking water. The Liberals need to address this issue now,” says Schreiner.

Today, GPO members will join members of the Grassy Narrows First Nation at Queen’s Park for River Run 2016, calling on Ontario Premier Wynne to finally clean up Wabigoon River.