TORONTO — The physical and mental health of people living in Grassy Narrows is “significantly worse” than other First Nations since mercury was dumped into a river system near the northern Ontario reserve half a century ago, a new health survey suggests. It found that there are fewer elders in the community, which the report suggests means that people are dying there prematurely. “The results provide clear evidence that the physical and mental health of (Grassy Narrows community) members is poorer than that of other First Nation communities in Canada and Ontario,” said the report. The contamination closed a thriving commercial fishery that devastated Grassy Narrows’ economy. “Grassy Narrows is one of the clearest examples of how governments of all stripes have failed to treat First Nations with the respect they deserve,” Horwath said.

Source: National Post May 24, 2018 08:02 UTC