Protesters concerned about mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows First Nation briefly interrupted a speech by Ontario Premier Doug Ford Wednesday.
Ford was just moments into an address to the Mississauga Board of Trade when at least two hecklers began yelling their concerns at him.
“Premier Ford, Grassy Narrows is still being poisoned. Will you compensate residents of Grassy Narrows?” one of them yelled at the premier.
The two were quickly escorted from the room by OPP.
Ford acknowledged the protesters, joking “they were a few minutes late – they were going to get here five minutes ago and they just arrived now.”
The premier then thanked OPP and received some applause from the audience for his comments before moving on without further interruption.
The protest marked the second time in days that hecklers have disrupted an event with Ford to draw attention to Grassy Narrows. Several people were also escorted out of the Ontario PC Convention on Saturday after they disrupted Ford’s speech.
The northern Ontario First Nation has been battling the provincial government for decades over mercury poisoning in the community. The community has alleged the government allowed the river system in its territory to be contaminated with industrial pollution and then failed to address the situation. Activists have been seeking compensation for the community.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the protesters described themselves as “Toronto-based grassroots supporters of Grassy Narrows” and said they have “no choice” but to bring their message to the premier since the government has not taken action.
“Grassy Narrows continues to suffer from pollution caused by the Dryden Mill and worsens the poison in their river,” the statement reads. “Premier Ford has the ability to act and make things right, but he continues to hide and dodge the question. We have no choice but to bring this issue to him so he can’t ignore the community of Grassy Narrows.”
With files from The Canadian Press
