We discuss the Grassy Narrows First Nations environmental disaster that some fall either the worst environmental disaster in Canadian history or environmental racism, with Alex Vezina, CEO Prepared Canada, an expert on disasters and emergency responses.
Grassy Narrows is a First Nations community in Northern Ontario downstream from a pulp and paper plant that dumped mercury for 15 years into the river. This community that depended on fishing and tourism were first told to not drink the water, then not to eat the fish then not to fish with tourists. 90% became unemployed, many died and many had neurological and other issues. Governments were slow to act only 50 years later dedicating monies, covered up analyses and documents and provided indemnification for the polluters. Sounds familiar?
We discuss the Grassy Narrows First Nations environmental disaster that some fall either the worst environmental disaster in Canadian history or environmental racism, with Alex Vezina, CEO Prepared Canada, an expert on disasters and emergency responses.
Grassy Narrows is a First Nations community in Northern Ontario downstream from a pulp and paper plant that dumped mercury for 15 years into the river. This community that depended on fishing and tourism were first told to not drink the water, then not to eat the fish then not to fish with tourists. 90% became unemployed, many died and many had neurological and other issues. Governments were slow to act only 50 years later dedicating monies, covered up analyses and documents and provided indemnification for the polluters. Sounds familiar?
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