Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek First Nation (also known as Grassy Narrows), located in Ontario, Canada, highlighted on July 11 the severe impact of mercury contamination on their community before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in the first virtual public hearing in the case.
The IACHR addresses human rights and violations in the Organization of American States (OAS), of which Canada is one of the 35 member states. The First Nation argued that there were potential human rights violations under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. The Canadian Government, represented at the hearing, defended its efforts to address the mercury pollution, highlighting past initiatives. However, the First Nation argued that these initiatives have been insufficient in addressing the ongoing health crisis and environmental damage.
The mercury contamination occurred between 1962 and 1975 when an estimated 9,000 kg of untreated mercury were dumped into nearby river systems by a paper mill operated by Dryden Chemicals Ltd. In 2017, the Ontario provincial government pledged $85 million and the federal government pledged $200.1 million in 2020 for mercury treatment centers. Generations of members of the First Nation have consumed fish from the contaminated waters, leading to widespread health issues.
At the virtual hearing, Chief Rudy Turtle stated that many community members have lost hope and that many face significant challenges in participating in work and education due to the ongoing health effects of the pollution.
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