A mercury poisoning treatment centre is officially in the works for Grassy Narrows First Nation.
Chief Rudy Turtle posted on Facebook Thursday that he has put pen to paper on the agreement for the 24-bed facility.
Kenora Conservative MP Eric Melillo says the agreement has been a long time coming.
“I’ve had many productive conversations with Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and his staff, as well as with Chief Turtle,” says Melillo, “and I would like to thank them both for collaborating and working tirelessly to secure this investment.”
A 2016 report found that more than 90% of residents in Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations had symptoms of mercury poisoning, from some roughly 10 tonnes of mercury that was dumped from the old Dryden Chemical Company mill into the English and Wabigoon river system about 50 years ago.
The new centre will be worth $19.5 million.
