Question Period Note: Relationship Agreement with Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (WIN)

• On September 18, 2020, the Government signed a Relationship Agreement with Chief Waylon Scott from Wabaseemoong Independent Nations to support the construction of a Mercury Wellness Centre.

• Under the Relationship Agreement, Canada intends to provide up to $19.5 million to support the design and construction of a Mercury Wellness Centre in the community.

• By signing this Agreement, we are building a strong foundation to improve the health and well-being of community members, and focus efforts on the social determinants of health.

High level 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 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 monitoring for mercury in Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations, as well as other First Nations communities, between 1971 and 2000.

The Environmental Public Health Health Officer conducts regular health visits in Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong including ongoing surveillance of the community's drinking water system. The Department annually monitors the communities’ drinking water systems for chemical parameters. Mercury has never been detected in any of the Grassy Narrows drinking water samples.

Over the last three years, 206 individuals from Wabaseemoong First Nations community participated in hair sampling. In total, 9 of 206 individuals (4.4%) exceeded the Health Canada mercury guidelines. All exceedances were at “increased risk” category, which means that all hair mercury levels were within 6-30 ppm for the total population and within 2-10 ppm for women of childbearing age (WCBA) and children. These mercury levels do not indicate an immediate health concern; however, long term exposure to these levels may affect sensory and motor functions as well as increase the risk of cardio-vascular diseases.

In keeping with the Health Canada guidelines, these individuals are advised on how to reduce their mercury exposure from fish consumption and were recommended to have their hair re-sampled to determine if dietary changes have lowered the hair mercury levels.

None of the individuals tested were considered “at risk”, meaning that none of individuals tested needed to be advised to follow up with a physician for the assessment of neurological signs or symptoms.

FNIHB continues to offer cost-free hair sampling for mercury to any member of the Wabaseemoong through collaboration with the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and a Health Canada Laboratory. COVID-19 pandemic affected the timing and frequency of this work.

If pressed further on WIN:

• A Community Health Assessment will be completed by the First Nation which will identify specific community health needs and service requirements and inform the design of the Mercury Wellness Centre and future health services.

• Due to COVID-19, there has been an impact on the timing of carrying out the in-person interviewing. ISC is working closely with WIN to offer alternate sources of information and data. At this point, it is estimated the Community Health Assessment could be completed in 2022.

• In addition, ISC staff conduct regular health visits in WIN, including ongoing surveillance of the community's drinking water system, in which mercury has never been detected.

If pressed on mercury contamination in Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation):

• On April 2, I met with Chief Rudy Turtle to sign a Framework Agreement to build and operate a mercury care home in the community of Grassy Narrows.

• The Mercury Care Home will provide access to specialized health care services to meet the community’s health needs related to exposure to mercury.

• We continue to work with community representatives and leadership on advancing the next phases of the mercury care home project.