OTTAWA — The Conservative critic for Indigenous Services is echoing calls for Prime Minister Mark Carney to apologize to Grassy Narrows First Nation after he said he could “outlast” a protester raising concerns about mercury poisoning in her community.

Conservative MP Billy Morin says Carney acted arrogantly and should apologize to the community for laughing at their frustrations.

Chrissy Isaacs, a Grassy Narrows woman suffering from mercury poisoning, was in Toronto on Monday to demand compensation from the provincial government for mercury contamination in her community.

The Dryden Paper Mill released thousands of kilograms of mercury into the community’s river system from the 1960s to 1970s, and community members are still dealing with the fallout today.

Carney made the comment about being able to “outlast” Isaacs after she and other protesters chanted and shouted during a Monday news conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to announce new funding for housing.

While Carney’s office says he wasn’t aware of the nature of the protest, the chiefs of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations said they are “disgusted” and are demanding that he apologize for his remark.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press