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Mining Claims Could Come At A Cost For Grassy Narrows

Dryden, ON, Canada / CKDR
Mike Ebbeling
Apr 14, 2021 | 7:00 AM


Mining Claims Could Come At A Cost For Grassy Narrows

Guy Bourgouin Screen Shot

A northern Ontario MPP is worried about increasing gold mining claims in and around Grassy Narrows territory.

Guy Bourgouin of the NDP says there are 4,000 mining claims in that area.

He notes meanwhile there are two sites of potential mercury contamination that is poisoning the rivers, the wildlife and the people of the First Nation.

Bourgouin says those concerns have yet to be acted on.

The member of Mushkewowk-James Bay stresses the governments stance on being open for business shouldn’t come at the expense of the health of people in the community.

“Another Star investigation, with the support of the community, has again undertaken to do what this and the previous government never bothered to do and that is clear out the contaminated soil that was found behind the Dryden Mill in the exact spot where a former mill worker reported dumping barrels of mercury. Instead this government has been quick to consider mining claims while the fish are still unsafe to eat and the people of Grassy Narrows drink the water.”

In the Ontario Legislature Tuesday Bourgouin asked, “Will the premier commit today to honour the Land Declaration that Grassy Narrows enacted in 2018 to ban industrial or mining activities on their territories and as Chief Randy Fobister told me ‘Let my people live in peace?'”

The provincial government insists it’s working with Grassy Narrows First Nation to address outstanding mercury contamination concerns.

Government House Leader Paul Calandra says area communities are currently assessing the extent of the contamination.

“Using funding approved by the English and Wabigoon Rivers Remediation Panel, from the $85 million trust, the Ministry is holding Domtar responsible for assessing the extent of the mercury contamination in and around the mill site.”

Calandra notes that includes addressing infrastructure and storm water management issues.

He adds they are committed to develop the north, while protecting the health and safety of residents.

“It has to be done safely. It has to be done in cooperation with our partners in the area. The previous Liberal government failed the north. Failed our First Nation communities.”

Calandra notes the government will continue to advance policies in the north that benefit Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in a manner that respects the rights of their First Nations partners.

He states Minister of Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford has been hard at work in the region ensuring growth and communicating with community partners.

A 2016 report found that more than 90% of residents in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations had symptoms of mercury poisoning, from some roughly 10 tonnes of mercury that was dumped from the old Dryden Chemical Company mill into the English and Wabigoon river system about 50 years ago.