Ontario Leading the Creation of a Development Corporation for Ring of Fire Infrastructure
November 8, 2013
Ontario is taking a significant step forward toward the development of the Ring of Fire. The province will lead the creation of a development corporation that would bring together private and public parties, including First Nations, mining companies, as well as the federal and provincial governments. This continues Ontario’s smart, sustainable and collaborative approach to the Ring of Fire.
The corporation would develop, construct, finance, operate and maintain infrastructure supporting access to strategic resources in the Ring of Fire. The province will begin immediate work with partners, including the federal government, on the development corporation to determine its scope and a suitable governance model.
Premier Wynne has written Prime Minister Harper seeking a role for the federal government to partner with Ontario, through the development corporation, in order to develop vital infrastructure investments for the region.
Ontario continues to be committed to smart, sustainable and collaborative development in the Ring of Fire, subject to all necessary environmental assessment and regulatory processes while ensuring the Crown fulfils its duty to consult.
Investing in the development of the Ring of Fire is part of the government’s economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
QUOTES
“Infrastructure is vital to developing the Ring of Fire. People need to get in to work and products need to get out to the global market. We need to determine what infrastructure will be most appropriate. That means that the current proposals on the table must come together while, at the same time, we must see the federal government join us in moving development forward. Through the creation of a development corporation, I am confident we will find a solution that is in the best interest for the people of Ontario.”
— Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
“There is no question that vital infrastructure is required in the region to support remote First Nations communities. Using a development corporation model to advance infrastructure development will ensure First Nations can participate in the governance and use of the transportation infrastructure. It will further support work already underway to promote meaningful participation in the Ring of Fire development. I look forward to dealing with these matters as part of regional process negotiations.”
— Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Ontario Lead Negotiator for the Ring of Fire
QUICK FACTS
The Ring of Fire, located 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, is one of the most significant mineral regions in the province and includes the largest deposit of chromite ever discovered in North America. This is a key ingredient used to create stainless steel.
The Ring of Fire also holds the potential for significant production of nickel, copper and platinum.
Ontario is Canada’s leading destination for mineral exploration investment and Toronto is the leading mine-financing capital of the world.
Ontario leads all provinces and territories in mineral exploration, with 23 per cent of the country’s exploration investment located within the province.
In July 2013, Ontario appointed Honourable Frank Iacobucci as the lead negotiator on behalf of Ontario to participate in discussions with the Matawa First Nations on proposed resource development in the Ring of Fire.
LEARN MORE
Find out how the Ring of Fire is part of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.
Media Contacts:
Maya Gorham, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Julia Bennett, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-6275
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Ring of Fire Backgrounder
Development Corporation
A development corporation for the Ring of Fire would provide a business structure for the support of strategic infrastructure development. A development corporation can:
Bring together key parties with common interests
Determine infrastructure needs
Secure financing
Manage issues related to design, engineering, construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
Ontario will immediately reach out to potential partners to determine the scope and a suitable governance model of the development corporation for the Ring of Fire.
First Nations
In July 2013, Ontario appointed Frank Iacobucci to lead discussions with the Chiefs of the Matawa Tribal Council on the proposed resource development. The Chiefs appointed Bob Rae to be their lead negotiator. These negotiations are currently underway and will address the following priorities:
Environmental protection and monitoring
Regional infrastructure planning and development
Resource revenue sharing
Social and economic supports
A number of steps have been taken to help ensure First Nations communities have the skills and training to benefit from the proposed Ring of Fire development. Ontario has already invested $5 million to support community readiness and capacity building for the Ring of Fire communities.
In addition, nearly $3 million has been provided to support the Matawa First Nations and Tribal Council as they build capacity to participate in Ring of Fire-related activities, including training and job opportunities. To date, these initiatives have seen great success with more than 850 First Nations members participating.
Significant work is also underway with First Nations communities to develop community-based land use plans, as supported by the Far North Act. Since 2008, Ontario has provided over $15 million to communities for land use planning in the Far North. These plans identify where land use activities would be permitted, subject to any additional planning requirements and environmental assessments. To date, 22 communities have started work to prepare community-based land use plans, including all of the Ring of Fire communities.
Environmental Monitoring
Ontario has invested $15 million to improve the mapping, science and knowledge of the Far North to support land use planning. This information will contribute to a long-term environmental monitoring framework to ensure sustainable development in the Ring of Fire.
Since 2008, Ontario has also provided approximately $8 million to environmental monitoring programs for the Far North which is critical in supporting land use planning, impact assessment, approvals and policy development. This includes an investment of $5 million towards the monitoring in the Ring of Fire to undertake baseline studies.
Environmental Assessment Process
Proposed mining and infrastructure projects in Ontario may be subject to both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Environmental assessments at both the provincial and federal levels are rigorous processes intended to identify, predict and mitigate any potential effects a project may have on the environment.
Economic Development
Through the Northern Communities Investment Readiness Initiative, communities can prepare for the proposed mineral developments of the Ring of Fire with funding for:
Transportation and freight management action plans
Opportunities for mining companies to network with suppliers and service providers
Studies to support the capacity of municipalities to benefit from resource development
Media Contacts:
Maya Gorham, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Julia Bennett, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-6275
066
For the original news release, click here: http://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2013/11/moving-forward-on-the-ring-of-fire.html