First Nations chiefs demand apology after PM said he could ‘outlast’ demonstrator

By Canadian Press on April 1, 2026.

OTTAWA — Two First Nations chiefs are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to apologize for saying he could “outlast” a First Nations woman who was protesting over mercury poisoning in her community.

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 news conference Monday with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to announce new funding for housing.

The chiefs of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations are demanding that Carney apologize for his remark, saying they are “disgusted” and that he acted unprofessionally.

The Prime Minister’s Office says in a media statement Carney could not hear what the demonstrators were saying and that members of his staff spoke to the demonstrators to hear their concerns.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2026.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press