Two First Nations chiefs are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to apologize for saying he could “outlast” a First Nations woman who was protesting over mercury poisoning in her community.
Chrissy Isaacs, a Grassy Narrows woman suffering from mercury poisoning, was in Toronto on Monday to demand compensation from the provincial government for mercury contamination.
The Dryden Paper Mill released thousands of kilograms of mercury into the community’s river system from the 1960s to 1970s, and community members are still dealing with the fallout today.
During a news conference Carney held Monday with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to announce new funding for housing, Isaacs and a group of community members and their supporters were chanting and shouting about the harms they are facing.
Carney responded by saying, “I can outlast her,” and then laughed, with Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow doing the same.
“I am disgusted with the prime minister for saying ‘I can outlast her’ because our people are dying prematurely. Shame on him for laughing at people who are sick and bullying a woman, and shame on those who laughed along with him,” Grassy Narrows First Nation Chief Sherry Ackabee said in a statement.
“Making fun of people is unprofessional.”
Chief Roland Fisher of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations said governments should not dismiss the concerns of his community members, and called on Carney to meet with them.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a media statement Carney could not hear what the demonstrators were saying and that members of his staff spoke to the demonstrators to hear their concerns.
Spokesperson Audrey Champoux said Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty is “in contact with Grassy Narrows leadership to continue progress on critical projects ranging from a new health centre, housing, and a mercury care home that will help ensure those suffering from mercury poisoning have the care they need, close to home.”
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau made similar remarks after a protester who supported Grassy Narrows disrupted a 2019 Liberal party fundraiser.
When the woman interrupted the fundraiser to raise concerns about the “mercury crisis” and the suffering of community members, Trudeau thanked her for her “donation.”
He later apologized, saying he “lacked respect towards them.”
