Pollution in Ontario Indigenous communities ‘outrageous’

“Ontario’s environmental watchdog blasted the province for turning a blind eye to pollution affecting Indigenous communities, including Aamjiwnaang First Nation, following an investigation by Global News.

Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe sharply condemned the “outrageous” pollution adversely affecting the health of Indigenous peoples across Ontario, including Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, Ont., and the Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations northwest of Dryden, Ont.

In her annual report – called Good Choices, Bad Choices – the environmental commissioner says the government must make environmental justice part of its reconciliation with Indigenous communities.

The report from the environmental commissioner also outlined the lack of access to safe drinking by First Nations communities, and pressured the government to take action.

“Thirty-six First Nations communities in Ontario are affected by a drinking water advisory that has been in effect for more than a year,” she said. “Of those, 17 have been affected by more than 10 years.””

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Article Source: globalnews.ca

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