Summary – all generally old news for anyone tracking developments in the Ring of Fire:
- Cough up some infrastructure money, feds – we’ve earmarked our $1 billion;
- Even though Canada and Ontario are funding a road study in the area;
- That Infrastructure Development Corporation’s still there; and
- We still have that Framework Agreement with First Nations around the Ring of Fire.
“…. Mr. Speaker, if the federal government wants a stronger Canada, it must invest its fair share in the projects that strengthen Ontario’s economy. That also includes helping to develop the Ring of Fire to spur economic growth and create jobs. Our government has committed to invest $1 billion to build infrastructure, including transportation, in the region. We need a federal partner in this initiative, Mr. Speaker ….”
From the full Budget documentation (426 page PDF) – highlights mine:
“…. Moving Ontario Forward is a plan to create jobs, boost productivity and revitalize communities …. Outside the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), it will allow us to invest in priority projects such as helping more communities gain access to natural gas, continuing to improve roads and highways and investing in the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario ….”
(….)
“…. In the 2014 Budget, Ontario committed up to $1 billion for strategic transportation infrastructure development in the Ring of Fire region, located about 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Ontario is calling on the federal government to match the Province’s investment to develop the necessary infrastructure. Recently, Ontario and the federal government announced more than $785,000 for a joint study in the region. Funding is being provided to remote Matawa communities to examine the benefits of developing an all-season transportation corridor connecting First Nation communities in the area with existing roadways. The road would establish a transportation corridor connecting the area of mineral deposits and four remote First Nations (Webequie, Eabametoong, Neskantaga and Nibinamik) to Pickle Lake, Ontario, about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. The study supports Ontario’s plan to drive development in the Ring of Fire and ensure its tremendous potential can be realized for First Nations, Ontario and Canada. In the summer of 2014, Ontario established the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation to move forward in a smart, sustainable and collaborative way with First Nations, the private sector and communities ….”
(….)
“…. Ontario’s Ring of Fire area, located about 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, has the potential to drive the creation of good, high-paying jobs in northern Ontario. The Ring of Fire holds significant deposits of minerals, including the largest deposit of chromite ever discovered in North America, as well as nickel and other minerals. Chromite is the key ingredient of stainless steel. Ontario has taken a leadership role in driving progress in the Ring of Fire region. The Province has committed up to $1 billion for strategic transportation infrastructure development in the region. The Province calls the federal government to the table as a willing and active partner to match Ontario’s investments and seize the opportunities in the Ring of Fire. The Province continues to make progress in the Ring of Fire region. In the spring of 2014, a landmark Regional Framework Agreement was signed with Matawa member First Nations to discuss and negotiate an approach for development in the First Nations’ traditional territories. This process will help ensure that First Nations participate in and benefit from Ring of Fire developments, and that regional environmental impacts are considered. In the summer of 2014, the Province established the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation to move forward in a smart, sustainable and collaborative way with First Nations, the private sector and communities on infrastructure development in the region. Recently, Ontario and the federal government announced more than $785,000 for a joint study in the region. Funding is being provided to remote Matawa communities to examine the benefits of developing an all-season transportation corridor connecting First Nation communities in the area with existing roadways. Ontario is in a position to move forward with partners on this important project in the north that will create jobs, provide opportunities for First Nation communities, and boost the northern economy ….”
More from the media, once they write it ….
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Ring of Fire News 