The opposition is questioning the Ford government’s commitment to Grassy Narrows.
The community is seeking a cleanup of mercury contamination that is still impacting residents.
NDP leader Marit Stiles and Deputy Leader and MPP for Kiiwetinoong, Sol Mamakwa, pushed for answers at a recent hearing that looked at the budgetary estimates of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs of which Greg Rickford is the Minister.
Stiles notes funding of a Mercury Disability Board that helps residents of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong access support benefits has not changed.
“Ninety per cent Grassy Narrows is still suffering from mercury poisoning, 90% to this day,” says Stiles.
“These are families. These are children. These are elders. These are entire generations impacted by this crisis, and they have been waiting for justice for decades.”
Rickford says the fund was increased with a commitment made in 2021 to provide over $127 million over a three-year period.
“The funds ensure that the Mercury Disability Fund is resourced to provide benefits to mercury disability fund beneficiaries for many years to come,” says Rickford.
He says prior to the PCs coming to power, the benefits remained the same since the 1980s.
“In fact, the new assessment process is based on a comprehensive reform to the benefit mercury disability benefit model and its assessment process recommended by the expert panel in its February 2021 final report, the contracts with medical experts to conduct the testing necessary to determine eligibility,” says Rickford.
The tests are conducted at no cost to residents.
Rickford adds the fund is now indexed to inflation and over 1,000 people are receiving benefits.
