The region’s First Nations and municipal leaders are frustrated and disappointed by a lack of planning from the province and Cliff’s Natural Resources on the Ring of Fire.
In the wake of an announcement Wednesday morning that Cliff’s will set up their ferrochrome processor in Capreol, near Sudbury, leaders from across Northwestern Ontario sounded off on the province’s lack of commitment and consultation with the region.
“It was a great day for Northeastern Ontario. It was a very sad day for Northwestern Ontario I can’t say it any plainer than that,” Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs said.
Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle and Aboriginal Affairs minister Kathleen Wynne faced a cold reception from regional leaders when they announced Cliff’s $3.3 billion investment to build its chromite mine, North-South all-season road from the Ring of Fire and processing facility.
The processor alone will be a $1.8 billion investment. After the announcement, which did not include any commitments from the province, Hobbs even refused to shake Gravelle’s hand.
“The details are being worked out in terms of that. We’re not able to speak in those terms publicly,” Gravelle said of the province’s plan.
“That’s not the way you do business. You don’t talk behind closed doors,” Hobbs said later.
Gravelle and Wynne said that they understand the region’s disappointment that the processor is going to Sudbury, but leaders need to see the overall investment as a good thing for Northwestern Ontario.
“This needs to be viewed as a positive despite our disappointment with the decision regionally related to the actual location of the ferrochrome processor,” Gravelle said.
“The processor is one part of this but there are more jobs on the broader project,” Wynne said.
As they were being questioned by media, Fort William First Nation chief Peter Collins asked why there have been no commitments by Cliff’s or the province for the actual number of jobs that First Nations will see as a result of the development.
“They’re not talking about the numbers what that number means it could be ten jobs for our communities,” Collins said later.
Wynne said that now that the announcement has been made, consultation with First Nations and municipalities can formally begin about what the region wants and needs.
“We need you r best advice and your engagement,” she said.
Wynne said Cliff’s choice for its processor was a business decision and not a political one.
Nishanwbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief Terry Waboose spoke up saying the province has been saying for years that consultations have been taking place, but First Nations have been missing from the conversations.
“It’s disappointing today to hear the two ministers here talk about a major decision that’s going to happen on our land,” he said.
“It’s obvious the province, cliffs haven’t been listening to First Nations and what their concerns and what their aspirations are. Today is a classic example of development going ahead without adequate consultation input and consent from our first nations.”
Hobbs, Collins and Greenstone councillor Jay Daiter said it’s clear the province hasn’t been listening to the region, pointing to a resolution signed by leaders from across the region last month that demanded Greenstone be chosen as the processor location.
Daiter said everyone is waiting to hear what the province’s actual plan is.
“Until the province demonstrates that it’s willing to invest in infrastructure and really partner with municipalities in the region we can continue to see these job opportunities and economic opportunities go south and the failure to really grow the North,” Daiter said.
Waboose said leaders need to rethink their support for the project going ahead.
“My advice to the chiefs of the area would be to perhaps reevaluate their support of the project.”
Hobbs said he expects municipal and First Nations leaders to stand together as development in the Ring of Fire moves forward.
“We’re sick and tired of resources in our back year d and Aboriginal peoples front yards being processed somewhere else this needs to change,” he said.
“My gut feelings are we’re going to stand beside First Nations and support them, support Greenstone support the Northwest whatever it takes to develop this area.”
On a media conference call, Cliff’s senior vice-president Bill Boor said the project is moving from a pre-feasibility stage to a feasibility stage and that it could mean up to 1,200 long-term jobs for the region.
“I understand that this process has resulted in hopes and expectations in some areas that might not be able to be met but we’re absolutely committed to a development that works for the long haul.”