The provincial and federal NDP asking the upper levels of government to take action to clean up the English-Wabigoon River System.

A recently released report shows mercury poisoning near Grassy Narrows First Nation has been worsened by ongoing industrial pollution at the Dryden Paper Mill.

In the House of Commons Charlie Angus of the federal NDP says it’s time for the government to take action.

“We now learn the Dryden Fibre Mill has been dumping sulphates into the Wabigoon river, which has been driving the mercury crisis for a new generation,” Angus told fellow MP’s during Question Period last week.

“So what steps will the Minister of Environment take to hold that company to account and to work with the people of Grassy Narrows to finally clean up the disaster in the Wabigoon River.”

Jenica Atwin is the parliamentary assistant for Indigenous Services and says the federal government is working with First Nations to improve water quality.

“Indigenous Services Canada is supporting several projects that will help meet the needs of the community without leaving home.  This on-going calamity…tragedy at Grassy Narrows is a reminder of what happens if we don’t protect our water sources from pollution.  That’s also why we introduced the First Nations Clean Water Act to make sure First Nation have tools to protect their water sources and hold polluters accountable.”

Ontario NDP leader Marin Stiles says Doug Ford’s silence on the report is appalling.