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Important Step Achieved In Development Of Ring Of Fire

Thunder Bay, ON, Canada / Country 105 | Thunder Bay's Country
Mike Ebbeling
Apr 14, 2022 | 11:28 AM
Important Step Achieved In Development Of Ring Of Fire

Courtesy of Ontario Government



It’s being called a historic milestone for the Ring of Fire Mining project in the Far North, about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations have announced they will be submitting a Terms of Reference for the proposed Northern Road Link Environment Assessment.

The next step is completing the actual study in partnership with Indigenous neighbours and key stakeholders.

Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says they are leading the project because it’s on their traditional territory and they are exercising their right to self-determination.

He stresses this represents a potentially bright future for future generations, neighbours, and for the region.

Achneepineskum says a lot of work has been done to come this far.

“It’s something that we are very proud of and we want to move forward in a good way moving with all of the responsibilities that we have to do on their environmental assessment.”

He adds, “This is a move forward for us in terms of economic reconciliation. Alleviating the conditions in the community. The poverty levels that we have faced in the decades past.”

Webequie First Nation Chief Cornelius Wabasse says, “The NRL project is an Indigenous-led environmental assessment, which integrates Indigenous-principles with the provincial process.”

The two First Nation leaders signed an agreement in 2020 to start the planning and development of the project.

Premier Doug Ford calls the project the “Corridor to Prosperity”

He says the proposed all season road is the final piece of critical infrastructure needed to ensure reliable access to potential mining sites in the Ring of Fire and connect First Nations communities to Ontario’s highway network.

“And we’re working side-by-side with our Indigenous partners to ensure that communities around the Ring-of-Fire have access to the roads needed. Not only to support development but also to improve access to everyday essentials like fuel, groceries and healthcare.”

Ford says the critical mineral deposits found in the Ring of Fire would help create unprecedented economic prosperity across the Far North.

He notes “The Northern Link Roadway will be a vital transportation connection to the First Nation communities in the north. Connecting them to the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow. Friends, working with our Indigenous partners, we are getting it done for Northern Ontario.”

Ford says the road will help move critical mineral deposits from the north to the south in order to become a global leader in building electric vehicles.

Below is the statement from Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Greg Rickford:


 

Courtesy of Ontario Government