Question Period Note: Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) – Mercury Care Home

The Government is committed to supporting wellness of the
residents of Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek and
Wabaseemoong.
• That is why our Government proposed $200.1 million to support
the construction and operations of mercury care facilities in
both Asubpeeschoseewagong and Wabaseemoong, and also
includes funding for a new water treatment facility in
Asubpeeschoseewagong.
• On April 2, 2020, Canada and Asubpeeschoseewagong signed
the Mercury Care Home Framework Agreement, which commits
Canada to providing $19.5 million for the detailed design and
construction of a mercury care home. The design was chosen by
the community based on the unique needs of their residents.

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If pressed on the Health Centre Expansion and Renovation
Project
• ISC supports infrastructure to deliver quality health care
programs and services and commits to health and wellness in
First Nation communities.
• ISC has revised the project schedule to reflect the First Nation’s
decision to revise the project requirements to permit a complete
new build and demolition of the existing clinic.

If pressed on funding for the Mercury Care Home
• The government signed an amendment to the Mercury Care
Home Framework Agreement on July 26, 2021.
• The amendment commits $68.9M in funding to support the
operations, maintenance and specialized service delivery of the
mercury care home in the community, along with a periodic
funding review that may be required to fulfill the goals of the
mercury care home.

If pressed on the progress on Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy
Narrows First Nation) Mercury Care Home construction
• Asubpeeschoseewagong representatives shared revised
mercury care home construction milestones in April 2022.
• To date, ISC has transferred $5 million of the $19.5 million in
capital funding to Asubpeeschoseewagong for the detailed
design and construction for the Mercury Care Home. In 2022, ISC
re-profiled the remaining capital funds ($14.5 million) to reflect the
community’s funding proposal submitted in 2021.
• In September 2022, Asubpeeschoseewagong representatives
submitted an $81.6 million proposal for a revised facility design
with several additional specifications. ISC is reviewing
Asubpeeschoseewagong proposal to determine a path forward
for a design that will fully support the community’s healing and
recovery. ISC is committed to its relationship and meaningful
engagements with Asubpeeschoseewagong. We are meeting
regularly and our conversations continue.
• ISC recognizes the urgency for the care home and this project is
a priority for the department.
• After construction begins, it is expected to take
Asubpeeschoseewagong 24-36 months to complete the
construction.

If pressed on the services to be provided in
Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows First Nation) Mercury
Care Home:
• Asubpeeschoseewagong has established an expert panel to
develop a Detailed Services Plan
• Mercury Care Working Group has been created by
Asubpeeschoseewagong with federal and provincial
representatives to act as an advisory body to provide support to
the development of the Detailed Services Plan for the health
programs and services to be provided from the mercury care
home.
• In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, Canada committed to fund
$68.9M to support the operations, maintenance and specialized
service delivery at the mercury care home.

If pressed on Mercury-related data
• We are committed to ensuring that the residents of
Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows First Nation) and
Wabaseemoong have access to their community’s mercuryrelated
data.
• Personal medical information that includes mercury data has
been, and will continue to be, provided to individuals upon
request.
• In collaboration with the Kenora Chiefs Advisory, the
government continues to offer free analysis of hair samples to
all residents of Asubpeeschoseewagong and Wabaseemoong at
their request.
• We will continue to work with First Nations leadership and
health care providers to answer questions and offer support to
individuals in community.

If pressed on Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows First
Nation) water supply
• In December 2020, Asubpeeschoseewagong completed the
feasibility study which demonstrated the need for a new water
treatment plant, additional distribution upgrades and a new raw
water intake location.
• The Department has approved $1.2 million to support the
detailed design phase of the project. The First Nation has hired a
professional project manager to oversee the project, and is now
working to procure a qualified engineering consultant to lead the
detailed design activities.
• Through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, Canada has
committed to support this project to meet the 20 year safe
drinking water needs of the community and the New Mercury
Care Home.