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Provincial cabinet ministers field hard ball questions pitched by NOMA delegates
Delegates grilled three Ontario cabinet ministers and a parliamentary assistant on progress with the Ring of Fire, the closure of regional Tourist Information Centres, education and training initiaitvies and infrastructure funding at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) annual meeting in Kenora, Friday, April 27.
NOMA president Ron Nelson served as moderator for the minister’s forum comprised of Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Glen Murray and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines Bill Mauro.
The ministers responded to ‘Bear Pit’ questions posed by municipal delegates regarding the apparent lack of progress on the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario with assurances that discussions are ongoing on a multi-ministerial level in consultation with mining companies and area First Nations. However, details of these discussions remain confidential, according to the ministers.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wynne said she is working directly with other ministries to resolve issues, address concerns and reach agreements to move the project forward to meet the interests of all involved.
“Negotiations are ongoing that aren’t public and can’t be talked about,” she said.
During Thursday’s session, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines regional resident geologist Andreas Lichtblau noted investment by exploration companies has topped $230 million since the discovery of copper, nickel and chromite deposits in the 200 kilometre semi-circular Ring of Fire mineralization zone.
Parliamentary assistant Mauro referred to media criticisms following the release of the 2012 provincial budget for its lack of information regarding the Ring of Fire.
“The budget is not the place where you’re going to see detailed plans for work in the far north,” he said. “Work is going on and many ministries are involved, negotiations are ongoing and there’s a lot of things I’d like to say but can’t.”
Mauro acknowledged the government’s “silence is intimidating and creating anxiety” as three ministerial groups continue to meet with northern communities.
Beyond the Ring of Fire, Mauro referred to active exploration projects, predicting “eight to ten” new mines will open over the next decade in the northwest.
In response to a question by Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas, MNR Minister Gravelle confirmed the appointment of a mining secretary to coordinate exploration activities in the north.
“Christine Kaszycki is incredibly busy on the file,” Gravelle said.
Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Murray noted his ministry is involved in developing programs as mining exploration and development will provide significant employment opportunities for northern First Nations residents.
He also referred to 17 major strategies and policies that will bring training and investment opportunities to Thunder Bay and other regional communities. The minister encouraged municipalities to continue to be involved in that process.
“We are driven by economic development strategies coming out of Northern Ontario,” Murray said.
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