A Ring of Fire region in northwestern Ontario, if ever developed economically, would create ‘thousands’ of jobs for Sault Ste. Marie, said Sault MPP Ross Romano in a media conference call with Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown Monday.
“You’d be looking at upwards of a couple thousand jobs once you factor in all the direct and indirect,” said Romano, who was recently appointed by Brown as Ontario PC Northern Jobs and Ring of Fire Critic.
Romano said he will continue to fight for a chromite processing facility here in the Sault.
The Ring of Fire region has been identified as a major source of chromite, used in the manufacturing of stainless steel, the region’s economic worth estimated to be $60 billion.
“There would be approximately 400 or 500 jobs directly in the plant to build it, another 400 to 500 to staff it on an ongoing basis, and then after, in indirect jobs, various employers would be in and out of the plant, not working directly for the plant…so it would be somewhere in the neighbourhood of another 1,200 to 1,500 jobs, not taking into account the increased housing and car sales, food sales, all of those things,” Romano said.
Negotiations with officials from First Nations territories in northwestern Ontario, necessary in order to build access roads into the Ring of Fire region, would be intricate, but both Romano and Brown are confident.
“I see it as an opportunity for northern Ontario and Indigenous communities,” Brown said.
“First Nations are going to benefit from this. These are great jobs, it will be Indigenous people that will be able to get some of these new northern Ontario jobs,” Brown told SooToday.
“It’s an opportunity,” Romano agreed.
“You look at all the economic benefits that can be derived from this project in negotiation with our Indigenous friends. There is an opportunity here to form those partnerships and do it in a meaningful way that’s going to assist (First Nations communities) in deriving economic and social benefits,” Romano said.
“I will have an opportunity to visit the Ring of Fire, and we expect that trip to happen this fall,” Romano said.
Brown lamented Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government has done little to develop the Ring of Fire region.
“Not a penny of the promised $1 billion for infrastructure (necessary for road access to the Ring area) has been spent, and this year it was completely removed from the budget,” Brown said.
“(If elected to power) the money would immediately be put back in the budget…the infrastructure corridor would be built and as quickly as possible,” said the PC leader.
“There are rumours today the Premier will be making another promise related to the Ring of Fire…but she has a horrible record when it comes to follow through,” Brown said.
“The Liberals must stop dragging their feet,” Romano added.
Brown said the next general election in Ontario will be fought over the Ring of Fire, hydro prices and affordability for the province’s families.
Meanwhile, both Brown and Romano said they doubt Wynne will call an election for the fall (the next vote is scheduled to be held on or before June 7, 2018).
Some political pundits have speculated Wynne, with a plan to cut hydro rates by 25 per cent, free tuition for thousands of students and an Ontario basic income pilot project, may take those big money programs and promises and go to the polls.
“I think there was some chatter about an election…as a diversion from what’s happening. The (former) Liberal chief of staff (David Livingston) and (former) deputy chief of staff (Patricia Sorbara) are facing charges in trials this fall (over alleged corruption regarding two gas plant cancellations and alleged corruption in Sudbury, respectively),” Brown said.
“(But) my sense is we are going to have a spring election, it won’t be early,” said the PC leader.
Brown said the PCs are looking forward to their annual caucus retreat later this week in Timmins, last year’s retreat held in Kenora, the year before in the Sault.
“Northern Ontario has a special place in my heart…I love it,” Brown said.
**************************
Ontario and First Nations moving ahead with road to Ring of Fire
Province supporting First Nations proposal to build all-season access road
Ontario is taking an important next step toward developing the Ring of Fire, working with Webequie, Marten Falls and Nibinamik First Nations to plan and construct a year-round access road into the proposed mining development site being pursued by Noront Resources Ltd. As part of this project, the province is also working with First Nations to build all-season access roads to their communities.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Thunder Bay today with the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, to announce that Ontario will support First Nations to plan and construct an east-west road connecting the Webequie and Nibinamik communities to the provincial highway network north of Pickle Lake. This project would provide all-season access to both First Nations communities as well as into the Ring of Fire development.
The province is also supporting Marten Falls First Nation to plan and construct an access road connecting the community to the existing provincial highway network at Aroland/Nakina.
Communities are working to begin environmental assessments of these projects by January 2018 and plan to begin construction in 2019, pending all necessary approvals.
As a next phase, Ontario will continue to support Marten Falls to undertake further technical and environmental studies that could inform planning and development of a north-south access road tied to the development of, and business case for, chromite mining in the Ring of Fire.
Building these roads is a critical step in realizing the economic benefits of one of the biggest mineral-development opportunities in Ontario in almost a century. Funding for these roads is part of the government's commitment to invest $1 billion in Ring of Fire infrastructure to create jobs, provide long-term benefits and improve quality of life for people in the region.
Ontario is working to support these First Nations as they address all regulatory requirements so that this unique environment is protected.
The province welcomes this merging of cultural considerations with regulatory requirements and will ensure First Nations and their perspectives, including traditional knowledge, are carefully considered in decision-making.
Investing in the development of the Ring of Fire while ensuring that First Nations participate in and benefit from this development is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick facts
• The mineral deposits in the Ring of Fire have an estimated value of $60 billion.
• Exploration discoveries to date include high-grade chromite, high-grade nickel, copper, zinc, gold, platinum group metals and vanadium.
• Chromite is an essential ingredient in the production of stainless steel.
• Since 2011, Ontario has contributed more than $111 million to help communities and tribal councils prepare for Ring of Fire development opportunities, including skills development, capacity building, community well-being studies, community-based training programs and economic development funding.
• So far, more than 3,100 First Nations clients have received support through this investment.
• Ontario and Matawa First Nations remain committed to moving forward with the Regional Framework Agreement signed in 2014, and are also working in partnership to address jurisdictional concerns.
• Ontario and the federal government are working with Matawa and its member First Nations to connect the communities to broadband technology to increase access to health, education and economic development.
• Ontario is actively working with Marten Falls, Nibinamik and Webequie First Nations to enter into funding agreements to support the next stage of technical and environmental studies and economic opportunities.
Additional resources
Ring of Fire Secretariat
Quotes
"I am grateful to the Matawa First Nations, who have been working with us for years to get to this historic day. The entire Ring of Fire region has huge potential for development that would benefit all of the communities involved and the entire province — creating new jobs and improving the quality of life for people in the North. Getting shovels in the ground to build this connection to the Ring of Fire will move us forward towards unlocking its full potential." - Kathleen Wynne, premier of Ontario
"Webequie First Nation is collaborating with Nibinamik First Nation through an existing bilateral agreement with a goal of addressing our infrastructure needs that will benefit our people and the region. As proponents, this will allow us to engage with our people and serve them more effectively including respecting other First Nations. The initiative will further define the routing for a multi-purpose corridor which will accommodate infrastructure projects such as roads, transmission lines and broadband. Our Land Stewardship and environment protection will be a priority for the people of Webequie First Nation, as it is our inherent right stemming from our three tier land base model to implement benefit relationship agreements with both levels of government. The success of the related project development in the Ring of Fire is dependent on the immediate implementation of the statement of joint commitments developed with the province to work with the community on various jurisdictional matters." - Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation
"We have been working towards development of the region with Ontario for a few years and are glad to finally have an agreement to connect to the provincial highway. As the historical occupants of the Ring of Fire, we believe that mining development must be both environmentally and economically sustainable, and we want to develop infrastructure that enables a multi-generational chromite opportunity. Today's announcement is a new beginning and we will continue to work with Ontario on the commitment to undertake further study toward developing our vision of a North-South industrial corridor that transverses a majority of Marten Falls territory as part of the long term development ofthe Ring of Fire. This is a very significant opportunity for Marten Falls, the North-South region and for the province. We must m ake the most of it." - Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation
"Today’s announcement is a major step forward for Noront as we prepare to develop our nickel and chromite deposits in the Ring of Fire. Establishment of a road network with agreement on industrial access is our most important project advancement milestone, and we are very pleased to see it move ahead. We look forward to working closely with the province and First Nations communities through the road construction and mine development processes." - Alan Coutts, president and CEO, Noront Resources Ltd.
**************************
