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| Image credit The Toronto Star |
News items in today's Canadian media report that Grassy Narrows First Nation is suing the Federal and Ontario Governments over continued mercury pollution of their drinking and fishing waters since 1960, when Dryden's paper mill in northwestern Ontario dumped an estimated nine tonnes of mercury into their water in violation of Treaty 3.
We asked Copilot (Microsoft's AI): What does Pope Francis say about water in Laudato Si? Here is Copilot's response:
In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis addresses the issue of water by stating that “access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights” (LS 30).
He emphasizes the critical importance of water, the growing tendency to privatize it, and the need for it to remain accessible to all, especially the poor who are disproportionately affected by water scarcity.
Pope Francis also reflects on the broader environmental crisis, linking the degradation of nature to the exploitation and abuse of the planet’s resources, including water. He calls for a collective response to the “cry of the earth” and the “cry of the poor,” urging for a change in lifestyle, production, and consumption to protect our common home.
The encyclical is a call to action for all humanity to recognize the severity of the environmental challenges we face and to work together towards sustainable solutions, with clean water being a fundamental aspect of this global endeavor.
It behooves Canadians, especially Ontarians, of conscience to support and amplify the repeated pleas of the people of this First Nation to have the waters of Grassy Narrows remediated. Boiling water can kill bacteria in the water, but no amount of boiling can get rid of mercury.
It is the mission of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) to serve Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy. Where people are disadvantaged by systemic injustice, we advocate with them and on their behalf.