Economic Statement ignores Highway 69: Fedeli promises: ‘We’re going to deal directly with the First Nations communities to unleash the wealth in the Ring of Fire’ – by Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles (Sudbury Star – November 16, 2018)

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A new mining working group to streamline the regulatory approvals process and attract new investment to Northern Ontario is one of the projects highlighted in Thursday’s Fall Economic Statement to benefit Northern Ontario.

Finance Minister and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli notes the statement includes a few pages that address Northern issues directly. Four sections of the 155-page document relate to the Ring of Fire, Review of the Far North Act 2010, the mining working group and Northern transportation improvements.

Fedeli says the previous government delayed development of the Ring of Fire for 10 years, “and now we’re saying, ‘no more.’ “There isn’t going to be any more delays and putting things off, as we’re going to deal directly with the First Nations communities to unleash the wealth in the Ring of Fire,” he says.

“We understand the wealth is important for the future growth of Northern Ontario. However, there hasn’t been one ounce of ore come out of the ground.” Fedeli says the province is ready to meet First Nations leaders and unlock the Ring’s potential.

The economic statement also mentions improvements to transportation in the North. The PCs campaigned on reinstating the Northlander. The passenger train’s last run took place in September 2012.

For the rest of this article: https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/economic-statement-ignores-highway-69