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Fact Sheet:
English-Wabigoon River Mercury Compensation
- The Government of Canada has contributed more than $9 million dollars
in compensation to the First Nations affected by mercury contamination
of the English-Wabigoon River system for economic and social development
initiatives.
- The Mercury Disability Board was established in 1986 in response
to mercury poisoning of the English-Wabigoon River system. The Board
oversees the administration of a trust fund from which benefits are
paid to claimants showing symptoms of mercury poisoning.
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has been working with
the Board, along with the Government of Ontario (represented by the
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat), since its inception and supports
its work.
In 1970, mercury contamination from a Dryden paper mill was discovered
in the English-Wabigoon River system, leading to closure of the commercial
fishery and some tourism related businesses. The Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong
First Nations sought compensation for loss of jobs and way of life. On
March 26, 1982, the federal government contributed
$2.2 million to Wabaseemoong for economic development, social and educational
programs. Wabaseemoong also signed a settlement with Ontario in January
1983. On July 27, 1984, the federal government contributed $4.4 million
to Grassy Narrows for economic development and social service development/planning.
In 1985, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed committing government
and companies (Reed Limited, and Great Lakes Forest Products Ltd.) to
a one-time compensation payment. In 1986, the Government of Canada's Grassy
Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement
Act and the Government of Ontario's English and Wabigoon River
Systems Mercury Contamination Settlement Agreement Act, facilitated
the creation of the Mercury Disability Fund (MDF) and the Mercury Disability
Board (the Board), which is based in Kenora, Ontario. The federal and
provincial governments, as well as the two companies involved, paid a
total of $16.67 million for the MOA compensation. Canada's contribution
was $2.75 million. Part of the First Nations' MOA settlement ($2 million)
was placed in a trust fund (which the Province of Ontario is responsible
for replenishing when the balance drops below $100,000). The Board administers
the trust as well as a benefits mechanism.
First Nation residents seeking benefits can have a neurological assessment
done by a doctor. That assessment is forwarded to an insurance company,
which pays benefits from the trust fund based on a point system reflecting
the severity of neurological symptoms.
INAC officials work with the Board as board members or members of sub-committees.
The department funds half of the Board's administrative costs, with the
Government of Ontario funding the remainder. The department contributed
$65,000 in administrative costs in fiscal year 2000-2001, $60,000 in 2001-2002,
and $31,000 in 2002-2003.
On September 4, 2003, then-Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development,
the Honourable Robert D. Nault, met with Grassy Narrows First Nation officials
in Ottawa, and agreed to provide funding (approximately $8,900) to support
a retreat held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 14-16, 2004 to discuss
the Board's work and mandate.
For More Information, please contact:
INAC Ontario Region
Communications
Tel.: (807) 624-1535
or Tel.: (807) 624-1531
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