For the second day in a row, the opposition is demanding action to clean up the English-Wabigoon River system of mercury.
A study recently said mill effluent was still an issue.
Minister of the Environment, Parks and Conservation Andrea Khanjin says they are working to help Grassy Narrows residents by indexing their mercury disability payments.
“We’re continuing to correct that wrong and as a result the people saw their monthly payment amounts more than double beginning in November of 2018, in addition to the retroactive payments,” Khanjin told the Ontario Legislature during Question Period Tuesday morning.
Khanjin adds the government has taken other measures to help resident of the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
“If you look at June of 2022, the Mercury Disability Board marked the opening of a new clinical space in Kenora…but more work needs to be done and that is why our government remains committed to working with Indigenous communities towards remediation of mercury contamination.”
A meeting took place yesterday between Environment ministry staff and the authors of a new report on continued contamination of river near Grassy Narrows.
NDP leader Marit Stiles wondered if any provincial cabinet minister or even the premier attended the meeting.
