Ottawa’s funding offer for mercury care home in Grassy Narrows … In 1998, Weyerhaeuser entered into an agreement with Bowater to buy some of the pulp-and-paper assets. For almost 50 years, the river system—a foundational element of the Grassy Narrows culture—-that the community relies on for food and water has been contaminated with mercury as a result of industrial pollution. Residents of Grassy Narrows First Nation, about 100 kilometres northeast of Kenora, Ont., have grappled with long-standing mental and physical health issues due to toxic mercury levels in the nearby English-Wabigoon River.So have many in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, also known as Whitedog First Nation, about 130 kilometres away. The Mercury Disability Board website says: “In November 1985, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (formerly Islington, formerly Whitedog) and Grassy Narrows First Nation negotiated an out of court settlement with the federal government, the province of Ontario, and two paper companies (Reed Incorporated and Great Lakes Forest Products Limited) for all claims due to mercury … Return to footnote *[Note: Act in force July 28, 1986, see SI/86-149. 7 The Governor in Council may make such regulations as are necessary for the purpose of carrying out the Agreement or for giving effect to any of the provisions thereof. shall be deemed to be personal property that was given to the Band under an agreement between the Band and Her Majesty but subsections 90(2) and (3) of the Indian Act shall not apply with respect thereto. 3 (1) The Agreement is hereby approved, given effect and declared valid. Ontario knew about Grassy Narrows mercury site for decades, but kept it secret. S.C. 1986, c. 23. The operation’s ownership changed over time as a result of various transactions. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. Grassy Narrows elder: ‘When you have mercury you have it for life’ – Dec 3, 2019 Bowater, which eventually became Resolute, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009. READ MORE: (2) No payment or service to which a Band or any member of a Band is entitled under any other Act of Parliament or under any program of the Government of Canada shall be reduced or diminished by reason of the payment or availability of benefits to the Band or any member of the Band pursuant to the Agreement. Footnote *9 This Act shall come into force on a day to be fixed by proclamation. For political parties, it’s a federal election issue For political parties, it’s a federal election issue October 10, 2019 In 1971, the mill owners of the day built the disposal site to contain mercury-laced waste. In addition to harming people, the untreated mercury waste from chemical processing led to closure of a commercial fishery and hurt tourism in the region. An Ontario judge ruled in favour of the companies in 2016, saying the language of the indemnity should cover the two subsequent owners. Marginal note:Benefits not to be treated as income. Want to discuss? Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement Act. The 4-3 decision Friday brought some clarity to a long-running dispute over one element of the legacy of environmental poisoning that has caused significant health problems for many residents. 8 There shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund such sums as may be required to meet the monetary obligations of Canada under the Agreement. Assented to 1986-06-17. 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