Question Period Note: Grassy Narrows – Mercury Contamination

• Through the Fall Economic Statement, our Government proposes $200.1 million over 5 years, starting in 2021-22, and $0.3 million ongoing to support the construction and operations of a mercury care home in Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows First Nation) and Wabaseemong Independent Nations.

• These centers will address the unique health care needs of residents, as well as provide supportive living for those who require it.

• Our Government recognizes that these communities have been dramatically affected by mercury discovered in the English-Wabigoon river system and suffer health issues to this day.

High levels of mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon River system, discovered in 1970, caused very high levels of mercury exposure among people residing in the First Nations communities of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) and Wabaseemoong. Levels of exposure in the late 1960s and 1970s were sufficient to cause mercury poisoning among several highly exposed community members. The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch completed extensive annual monitoring for mercury in Asubpeeschoseewagong Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations, as well as other nearby communities, between 1971 and 2000.
Indigenous Services Canada’s Environmental Health Officer conducts regular health visits in Asubpeeschoseewagong Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong, including ongoing surveillance of the community's drinking water system. Kenora Chief's Advisory annually monitors the communities’ drinking water systems for chemical parameters under a devolution agreement. Mercury has never been detected in any of the Asubpeeschoseewagong Grassy Narrows drinking water samples.

In response to the community’s request for immediate suicide prevention crisis support, the Department is providing $618,226 under Jordan’s Principle to Kitapinoonjiiminaanik Family Services, to address the immediate mental health needs of children and youth in Asubpeeschoseewagong Grassy Narrows. The Department also provided a permanent increase in Medical Transportation to ensure community members can access treatment where provided.
$9 million was identified in Budget 2017 for the construction of a mercury treatment facility and funding was provided to AsubpeeschoseewagongGrassy Narrows First Nation to undertake a feasibility study. The final report outlined that a long-term care facility and specialized medical services were required to improve health outcomes in the community. Additional funding will be required to support the construction and operations of the mercury treatment facility.

If pressed

• Building a Mercury Care Home in these communities is an absolute priority for this government. Both Asubpeeschoseewagong and Wabaseemoong will receive their vision for a mercury home. Their members will get the care they need while staying closer to home, community and family.

• Indirect beneficiaries include community members in Asubpeeschoseewagong and Wabaseemoong, due to increased employment opportunities through the construction and staffing of the facilities.

• We can and will find consensus on a facility that meets the communities’ health needs, now and in the long-term.

If pressed on funding

• We share the communities goal of finding solutions that meet their needs.

• This remains a priority and we will support the construction of the mercury facilities.

• We remain in discussion with these communities to advance the project as expeditiously as possible.

Mercury-related Data

• We are committed to ensuring that the residents of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) and Wabaseemoong have access to their community mercury-related data.

• Personal medical information that includes mercury data has been, and will continue to be, provided to individuals.

• We continue to offer free analysis of hair and blood samples to all residents of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows)and Wabaseemoong, at their request.

• We will continue to work with community leadership and health care providers to answer questions and offer support to individuals in the community.

If pressed on the drinking water advisory

• We are working in partnership with First Nations communities to improve water infrastructure on reserves and support access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.

• We have provided funding for the construction of upgrades to Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows )First Nation’s existing water treatment system.

• On September 29, 2020, the project was completed, which has resulted in clean and safe drinking water for all residents of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation. As a result, three long-term drinking water advisories in Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation have been resolved.