Toxic mercury in the water
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 07 June 2016 15:00
- Written by editor
If we act now, we can end an environmental disaster that’s been poisoning a First Nations community in Ontario for decades.
In the 60s and 70s, a logging company dumped 9000 kg of deadly mercury poison into Ontario's English-Wabigoon River system, sparking a major health crisis in the downstream indigenous community of Grassy Narrows, which relies on fish from the contaminated river. [1]
Today, the river is still contaminated, and community members report ongoing health issues. Just two years ago, a 17-year-old Grassy Narrows boy who suffered from mercury poisoning died in the hospital. [2]
Grassy Narrows First Nation members and allies have been calling for a thorough clean up since the 80s, but the government has always refused, claiming clean-up was impossible.
Now, a new report confirms that not only is it possible, it’s been done in other rivers with similar contamination. It’s time for the government to stop making excuses, and start cleaning up the mess. [3]
Our allies at FreeGrassy.net have created a petition calling on Premier Wynne and Prime Minister Trudeau to clean up the river. If enough of us sign the petition now, we can pressure the government to clean up the river before more people in the Grassy Narrows community are poisoned.
Both Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Wynne have recently pledged to build a new relationship with First Nations, and they will be particularly susceptible to public pressure on this issue if we act now.
This petition is just one part of a larger fight for justice for Grassy Narrows. This week is #RiverRun2016, which saw Grassy Narrows community members travelling from their community to Toronto, to raise awareness and put pressure on the Ontario government. The story has been in the news all week, there was a public event yesterday, and there will be a Toronto rally at Queen’s Park tomorrow.
More than 4000 people have already signed the petition. Will you add your signature now?
Click here to sign the petition now: https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/clean-up-the-mercury-that-s-poisoning-grassy-narrows-water?source=LN
We're in this together,
Amara and Jolan, on behalf of the Leadnow team
Sources:
[1-3] Mercury Contamination at Grassy Narrows can be cleaned up, scientists tell government, again (CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/grassy-narrows-mercury-report-1.3604183
Leadnow.ca is an independent campaigning community that brings people together to hold government accountable, deepen our democracy and take action for the common good. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Leadnow.ca, PO Box 2091, Stn Terminal, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3T2 — 1‑855‑LEADN0W | 1‑855‑532‑3609
