In the 60s and 70s a paper mill company dumped more than 10 tonnes of mercury into the river system near Grassy Narrows First Nation. Since then, the residents of this Northern Ontario First Nation have been plagued with the effects of mercury poisoning including tremors, cancer and birth defects in children.
Despite the Ontario government knowing about the contamination, they have done little to clean up the site. The Wynne government has repeatedly put off clean-up efforts and refused adequate medical compensation to Grassy Narrows residents.
However, public pressure has been building and the Wynne government must act or face more public outcry.
The people of Grassy Narrows deserve to be able to hunt, fish and gather on their traditional territory without being poisoned. This is a public health crisis and has been ignored by the Ontario government for more than 50 years.
The inaction on the part of the Ontario government must stop.
Sign today to demand an immediate clean up of Grassy Narrows. By signing today you are sending a strong message that the purposeful inaction of the government that leads to the long-term, generational poisoning of people is unacceptable.
To Premier Kathleen Wynne,
As someone who is concerned about the health of all people I am deeply concerned about the mercury contamination near Grassy Narrows First Nation.
The inaction on clean up efforts on the part of the Ontario government is unacceptable and action must be taken immediately.
This is a health crisis and your government is not taking it seriously enough. This must stop.
I urge you to start clean up efforts as soon as possible to ensure that there is not further contamination of the food source for Grassy Narrows.
[Your Comment Here]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
