UN expert: Canada’s toxic waste policy shows disdain for Indigenous rights
Canada’s handling of toxic chemicals and industrial waste shows a
“blatant disregard for Indigenous rights”, a UN human rights expert has
said following an extensive fact-finding mission in the country.
“blatant disregard for Indigenous rights”, a UN human rights expert has
said following an extensive fact-finding mission in the country.
Baskut Tuncak, the special rapporteur on toxic chemicals, called on Canada
to improve its monitoring of hazardous materials in the country – and
to better engage with the Indigenous people who live near harmful
pollution.
Tuncak spent two weeks touring areas of concern across the country, including the county’s infamous tar sands and the Indigenous community of Grassy Narrows, which has fought for more than five decades to have toxic mercury removed from its waters. He released his preliminary findings on Thursday in Ottawa.