SoVote

Nov/6/23 7:16:27 p.m.
Watch

Uqaqtittiji, in Grassy Narrows, the effects of mercury poisoning can be traced to 1970, more than 50 years ago. The Liberal government committed in 2017 to build and operate a mercury care home. Six years later, the ground has yet to be broken for this facility. I asked the Prime Minister in June when the suffering from the effects of mercury poisoning would end. He said that the situation “has gone on for far too long” and that he was “working...with local leadership and moving forward” on a solution. This potential project is another in a long line of broken Liberal promises to indigenous peoples. Chief Turtle wrote to the Minister of Indigenous Services on October 13 saying that he continues to wait for Canada to provide the full funds to build the mercury repair home. For six years, Grassy Narrows has worked to get the project started. For six years, it has experienced barriers from the Liberal government. While elected officials say that the government is committed to this project, approvals are delayed. The first nation has done what it can do to get the project started. Grassy Narrows has done everything asked of it. It has submitted the applications, done its due diligence and followed all the government's bureaucracies. There can be no more justification. It is the federal government's responsibility to provide Grassy Narrows with the care it needs, not to prevent that care from starting. The delays are not justifiable. Meanwhile, this community continues to suffer. Research published in July found that the youth suicide rate is three times higher than other first nations. Consumption of fish from mercury-contaminated waters has led to nervous disorders and psychological stress over generations. Mothers indicate that over 40% of girls have attempted suicide. Before the mercury was dumped in 1970, the community did not report a single suicide. The connection could be said to be clear. The Prime Minister once said that Canada's most important relationship is with indigenous peoples. So far, Canada's relationship with Grassy Narrows has been marked by barriers and neglect. What is Canada's delay in honouring the minister's promise?

366 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 247 - Nov/6/23

Mr. James Maloney (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.)

Nov/6/23 7:19:09 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Nunavut for raising the important issue of the Grassy Narrows situation. I can tell her that I have been to Grassy Narrows. She may have heard me mention earlier this evening that I was born in Thunder Bay, and I am familiar with Grassy Narrows. I am aware of what has been happening there, which is why I went. That is why I went many years ago. It is because I wanted to see first hand what it looked like and what conditions the people were living in. The member is correct. The Prime Minister has said on record many times, as have all members of our government, that there is no relationship more important. With respect to the specific project at hand, I can assure the member that we will do everything within our power to work with the community because that is critical in making sure these projects are not only completed, but also completed properly in conjunction with the community and in a manner the community endorses and respects. I will say again that I want to thank the member for raising this issue with respect to Grassy Narrows. I understand why it is so important and would be happy to speak with her further at the first available opportunity.

222 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 247 - Nov/6/23

Ms. Lori Idlout

Nov/6/23 7:20:51 p.m.
Watch

Uqaqtittiji, when Grassy Narrows submitted more changes to the funding request, as required by the department, it waited eight months for an answer. The Minister of Indigenous Services met with Chief Turtle in May and approved the project. She said that everything was ready to go, but the government needed to get the funds from Treasury Board. She said that Grassy Narrows would see the funds by September at the very latest. It is now November and there are still no funds from Treasury Board. There should be no further justification for this delay. When will this funding finally be sent to Grassy Narrows so it can start building the mercury repair home it so desperately needs?

117 words

All Topics