ONTARIO'S ONGOING SHAME: GRASSY NARROWS

Both federal and provincial governments of all stripes (OK mostly Liberal & PC) have been promising significant help to the residents of Grassy Narrows for nearly half a century. The promises have been major and the actions minor at best. Mercury poisoning from the former Reed Paper Mill has caused ilnesses and death. The Waterloo Region Record published the following article by Karen Wendling, an associate professor at the University of Guelph, titled "Liberals must keep promise to Grassy Narrows, now".

Professor Wendling rightly points out the difference between the government response to the Walkerton Water Crisis in 2000 versus the lack of response and action to the water and soil poisoning in Grassy Narrows. The Professor also advises that the Canadian government continues to fight successive Canadian Human Rights Tribunal rulings that have required it to better fund education, health care and more for our Indigenous and Inuit peoples.

Professor Wendling is shocked and appalled at the indifference shown by both provincial and federal governments to the plight of Grassy Narrows. She suggests that no government would allow this lack of action in any non-indigenous community and I believe she is correct. At least here in Elmira, Ontario work and action, insufficient as they are, has been underway for decades. Progress has been made albeit painfully and grudgingly every step of the way. Lying, deceit and manipulation have accompanied every positive step but there have been positive steps at least. Not so much in Grassy Narrows. They are left with nothing but the lying, deceit and manipulation.