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Speaking Notes for The Honourable Tony Clement Minister for FedNor – SPEECH TO THE THUNDER BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (February 19, 2013)

References to the Ring of Fire

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Thank you Ed (Schmidtke) for that kind introduction. And thank you to our hosts for this afternoon business luncheon, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

It’s great to be back in Thunder Bay. These are truly exciting times for the city and the region.

There is a buzz in the air and a sense of dynamism that, as Minister for FedNor and someone who has been criss-crossing Northern Ontario since 2006, gives me great satisfaction.

I just came from an announcement at the Thunder Bay Airport which exemplifies this energy and optimism. As many of you know the Thunder Bay Airport Authority has gone above and beyond the call of your run-of-the-mill airport manager.

It has aggressively expanded beyond its local market and its original mandate: it manages and offers consulting services to other airports, it sells – I should say exports – aviation software services across North America and the Caribbean, and it’s the exclusive distributor for a Swiss manufacturer of airport service maintenance equipment.

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First Nations battle suicide epidemic – by Karen McKinley (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – February 17, 2013)

Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

With many people experiencing hurt, depression and anger, they must take responsibility and work to heal themselves if they want to be whole again, says Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

NAN is bringing that message to a youth and family forum aimed at addressing youth suicide and family problems. To prepare and help raise funds, NAN hosted a prayer breakfast, donation gathering and silent auction at St. Paul’s United Church on Saturday. Around 30 people sat down in the basement of the Thunder Bay church to enjoy a meal and discuss topics surrounding suicide and how faith can help heal the psychological wounds.

“Nishnawbe Aski Nation is hosting what we are calling the Embrace Life Forum on March 6, 7, and 8 at St. Paul’s church,” said Goyce Kakegamic, deputy grand chief for NAN in an interview on Saturday. “It aims to discuss issues like prescription drug abuse, suicide and find ways for families to come together to address those issues.

“This is not a gathering to assess blame, it more about how we can accept responsibility to address these things.”
He said blaming factors does not solve problems. The only way they can tackle these problems is to find out how families can come together, offer support and communicate effectively.

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Energetic questions – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (February 15, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

IN a world beset by economic challenges, Canada enjoys two advantages. Already ahead of many other countries in terms of recovery (albeit one that does not always share its wealth equally) Canada is poised to embark on a major resources boom.
In Alberta, the oilsands could quench the energy thirst of millions of people as economic recoveries look to be fuelled. In Northwestern Ontario, a remarkable series of mineral discoveries are relished globally for construction and consumer products.

However, both developments are beset by environmental pitfalls.

Beyond the question of more fossil fuel to be burned, adding to global warming, is the matter of moving Alberta’s new oil to market. The United States is poised to reconsider a plan to build a pipeline to carry the crude oil to Texas refineries amid a growing chorus of opposition in both countries.

A second round of opposition involves plans for a pipeline to ship Alberta oil to a port in British Columbia where critics point to danger to oil tankers in the port’s tricky waterway. Spills are always a potential pipeline side effect.
If neither of these challenges can be overcome, Canada stands to lose billions in potential revenue and see the United States and China drain away as customers.

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OPG considering biomass option for Thunder Bay plant – CBC News Thunder Bay (February 13, 2013)

http://www.cbc.ca/thunderbay/

Thunder Bay Generating Station may operate beyond 2014, manager says

Ontario Power Generation says it’s taking a closer look at whether the Mission Island Generating Station could be converted to burn biomass. Last year, the utility suspended work on converting the Thunder Bay plant from coal to natural gas. The province will stop using coal-fired plants next year.

The plant manager for Ontario Power Generation’s Northwest Thermal, which runs the plants in Thunder Bay and Atikokan, said they are looking at other options.

“I remain optimistic that [the] Thunder Bay [Generating Station] will be operational beyond 2014,” Chris Fralick said.

“I don’t know in what form. There’s a lot of uncertainty still that needs to be sorted out. There’s a lot of discussions that still need to be had. There’s going to be a need for power, and there’s going to be a need for the Thunder Bay [Generating Station].”

OPG formally announced it was suspending the coal-to-gas conversion in Thunder Bay in November. At that time, the power workers’ union suggested biomass conversion as a possible alternative — something the OPG will consider.

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Look west for growth – by Kris Ketonen (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – February 14, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Northwestern Ontario mining firms need to take some initiative if they hope to take advantage of a growing mining sector out west, an industry consultant said Wednesday.

“How you get involved is to get out there,” said Lester Cey, president of Saskatchewan’s LPC Consulting, which focuses on helping companies expand into western Canada markets.

“Bring what you’ve got to the table,” he said Wednesday. “Let the market decide whether you can play in our market.”
Cey was in Thunder Bay on Wednesday to address the subject at the Airlane hotel. The focus of Cey’s address was the mining industry landscape in Saskatchewan for 2013 and beyond.

Just before his talk, Steve Matheson, supply chain developer for the Ministry of Economic Development, spoke about opportunities for Ontario’s mining supply and services sector in the Alberta oilsands.

The point, both men said after their addresses, was to shed some light on why Northwestern Ontario companies should look west, and what they’ll need to do to make westward expansions successful.

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Gravelle keeps a seat in cabinet – by Carl Clutchey (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – February 12, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Northwestern Ontario community leaders were applauding Monday as newly minted Premier Kathleen Wynne kept the North in the loop with the appointment of two, home-grown cabinet ministers, including a seasoned veteran.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a pretty good day for Northwestern Ontario,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs. “These people know the North, and the Northwest in particular.”

As many like Hobbs had hoped, Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) was returned to head Northern Development and Mines, the important but tricky portfolio he oversaw for four years until 2011.

Gravelle, who remained on the job as Natural Resources minister after he was diagnosed with cancer last fall, said he was “thrilled” to be kept in cabinet. “We are at a pivotal and exciting time in the North’s history, and our ministry and government will be playing a tremendous role in ensuring opportunities are seized,” Gravelle, 64, said in a statement following his reappointment to cabinet.

“Clearly, mining continues to be a real pillar for Northern Ontario’s economy and certainly development in the far north and the Ring of Fire are top priorities for our government.”

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Gas pains for Wynne – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal (February 1, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

IT is hard to argue Kathleen Wynne’s first decision as premier-elect of Ontario. Facing an $11-billion budget deficit, the government must question every bit of proposed spending to ensure it’s in taxpayers’ best interest. Using that logic Wynne has said a public inquiry into the Liberal government’s cancellation of two suburban Toronto gas plants in seats it tried to save will be too expensive.

That might fly if she would approve an alternative to the NDP’s demand for an inquiry. But she has not committed to a Progressive Conservative call to reconstitute a legislative committee that was about to delve into the matter when Premier Dalton McGuinty suddenly resigned and prorogued the legislature.

It has already cost Ontario taxpayers at least $230 million to scrap the two gas-fired generating stations and the Liberals were guilty of failing to produce all of the paperwork — which the opposition charges will reveal even more cost.
Wynne has acknowledged there may yet be more documents that should be revealed.

But the discovery of an email from an energy ministry employee directing the Ontario Power Authority on which documents to release and which to withhold demands Wynne act decisively to mend this wound on the government’s reputation. If she won’t approve reforming the all-party committee how can she offer absolute assurance the whole story will come out? Surely she won’t ask us to simply trust her.

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Fort William First Nation, Noront Resources discuss chromite processing plant – by Jeff Labine (tbnewswatch.com – January 25 2013)

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/

Fort William First Nation’s chief says his community is involved in preliminary talks with a mining company to bring a chromite processing plant to this area. Chief Peter Collins has met with officials with Noront Resources Ltd. to discuss the possibility of a processing plant.

Although the project is still in its early stages, the proposed plant is expected to take up 300-megawatt of power, which would put more strain on the Thunder Bay Generating Station. The project’s power needs was brought to the attention of Ontario’s Energy Minister Chris Bentley when he met with the Energy Task Force in Thunder Bay last week.

“We’ve been in early discussions with Noront and right now it is still a work in progress,” Collins said Friday. “If this does come to reality we would like ownership within the plant, and we made no bones about it. Jobs are also part of the discussions.”

He said the processing plant that Noront is looking for will be smaller than a third in size to the one that Cliffs Natural Resources is expected to build.

Fort William First Nation had discussed the possibility of hosting that processing plant, but Collins said that was managed as a joint effort with many communities in the district.

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Wynne needs seasoned Northerners – by Carl Clutchey (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – January 28, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Will Northern Liberal MPPs who backed the runner-up candidate in Saturday’s leadership convention pay a heavy price? Not necessarily, says one veteran political observer and former MPP.

Thunder Bay Coun. Iain Angus said Sunday that Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle of Thunder Bay and Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci of Sudbury may very well retain cabinet posts under new party leader and soon-to-be premier Kathleen Wynne.

“First off, (Wynne) is going to need some representation from Northern Ontario, and she’s also going to need some people with experience,” said Angus, who was an NDP MPP for two years in the mid-1970s. Gravelle and Bartolucci fit the bill on both counts, said Angus. “The question is, what ministry will they end up with?

“The thing about a cabinet shuffle is that it can take a very long time (for new ministers) to get up to speed,” he said.
Gravelle and Bartolucci, along with MPP Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) and Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti all backed runner-up Sandra Pupatello, the former Windsor MPP who was seen to have the backing of the Liberal party establishment.

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Gold mine plan goes to next step – by Northwest Bureau (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – January 21, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

A federal environmental assessment has begun for Treasury Metals’ proposed Goliath gold project near Dryden. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is looking for public input on any potential environmental impacts the proposed gold mining project might have on the area and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines, available at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference No. 80019). Copies of the guidelines are also available for viewing at the Dryden and Sioux Lookout public libraries.

The report identifies potential environmental effects to be considered, and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the EIS. Treasury Metals wants to develop, construct and operate an open-pit and underground gold mine just east of Dryden.

The mine would process 2,500 tonnes per day of rock containing various concentrations of gold over a mine life of up to 12 years.

Treasury Metals owns the property which is close to infrastructure (electricity, natural gas and highways). Ore would be partially processed on-site and shipped off-site for further refining and upgrading.

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Why are we still awaiting [power plant] decision? – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (Globe and Mail – January 20, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

When it comes to meeting Northwestern Ontario’s growing energy needs, “a few months” has become something of a mantra.
There has been a great deal of uncertainty around how to power the North since November, when the provincial government first hit the pause button on the conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station from coal to natural gas. The decision came after the Ontario Power Authority stated the region’s energy needs could be better met in other ways. Halting the conversion, the OPA said, would save $400 million.

That claim was enough to cause Energy Minister Chris Bentley to — temporarily — halt the project and tell the OPA “show me.”

That’s fair, as $400 million is no small sum. However, the OPA has yet to show anyone how that money will be saved.
In addition, the timing was unfortunate. The North is sitting on the cusp of a mining boom. Those mines will need energy; a 500-megawatt bump in regional power demand is expected by 2016.

Time, meanwhile, continues to tick toward Dec. 31, 2014, when all coal-fired power generation in Ontario is to stop. Unless Thunder Bay’s plant can somehow be grandfathered and continue burning coal, it will need to shut down if it’s not burning natural gas.

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Power plan just months away – by Kris Ketonen (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal – January 18, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

The province will have a plan in place on how to meet Northern Ontario’s growing energy needs within a few months, Ontario’s energy minister assured Thursday.

The question of how, exactly, to provide the necessary power to the region as it prepares for a mining boom was the topic of discussion at a meeting Thursday between Energy Minister Chris Bentley and representatives of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and the City of Thunder Bay.

The gathering didn’t produce anything concrete, save for an assurance that there will be more meetings on the matter.
Bentley said that was the point.

“I was determined that we not come in with a conclusion,” he said after the meeting at the Airlane hotel. “We didn’t come in with a report from the OPA, because I said we need to hear, in detail, from the energy task force and from the experts in the region.

“We’re not leaving with a conclusion, because they’ve got more work to do — both sides have got more discussions to have, so that we make sure we fully identify not only what the opportunities are, what the load energy requirements are, but the timing of those requirements, so we can get the infrastructure right.

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A new Canada is at hand [Aboriginal issues] – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Editorial (January 10, 2013)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

WITH so much riding on Friday’s meeting between the leaders of two of Canada’s “nations,” there is a danger that the drama of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence could detract from it. Spence is so the wrong person to be seen to be speaking for First Nations in general and the Idle No More movement in particular. Her hunger strike in a teepee — interspersed with a visit to a nearby hotel and some slumber time in a car — has been marked by shifting demands and her disingenuous response to the leaked audit of her impoverished band’s finances.

A chief who drives an Escalade while most about her scramble for basic shelter; who calls the absence of basic accounting for $100 million in public funds, largely intended for housing, a ruse to discredit her; and who questions the skills of a major financial institution for revealing the breathtaking irregularities of her own band management, does not deserve to be given credence at this crucial juncture in the life of Canada.

Who, then, does speak for First Nations in Friday’s meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and several of his ministers? Some First Nations leaders say that Shawn Atleo’s Assembly of First Nations, which convened this important meeting, does not speak for them. There are 617 First Nations in Canada, most of which are part of regional organizations like Nishnawbe Aski Nation here in the Northwest. First Nations and their umbrella groups all have chiefs. Hopefully, the select few chiefs present Friday are representative of most if not all of the more than 700,000 First Nations people.

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The challenge of our time [First Nations Poverty] – Thunder Bay Chronicle Editorial (December 23, 2012)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

ANOTHER protest by First Nations has led to another round of accusations and counter-accusations. Chiefs and band members say government is ignoring treaty obligations and violating traditional lands. The federal government insists it is acting on a number of fronts to improve the lot of First Nations. Canadians from all walks of life share a variety of opinions, some of them valid while others repeat old misconceptions.

The Idle No More movement follows other native protests rooted in similar claims and counter-claims. Some of these protests have led to violent confrontations; others have simmered for years.

In general, the efforts of reasonable First Nation leaders has led reasonable Canadian and provincial government leaders to act on legitimate grievances and legislate improvements. And yet, conditions on many First Nations remain impoverished and relations with most governments remain strained.

This situation has endured for decades and is both a stain on Canada’s name and a sign that something isn’t working. In this modern country with a solid Charter of Rights and Freedoms, how can there not have been a solution to this by now? Either the First Nations are right and governments are failing them badly, or governments are doing their best but cannot have the conversation that First Nations want to hear.

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North getting some attention – Thunder Bay Chronicle-Jouranl Editorial (December 11, 2012)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

SEVEN Ontario Liberals who want to lead the party came to a weekend debate in Thunder Bay, mainly to say how they’d do the North differently. Each of them had some proposal for a new degree of autonomy here. Each of them recognized that their party, and the others, have failed to tend to the North enough over the years and promised that, if selected to replace outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty, things up here will be different.

We say “up here” because all of the candidates are from deep in southern Ontario and, naturally, have not had a lot to do with the North until now.

Now, they are turning their backs, to one degree or another, on what their government has done concerning Northern Ontario in order to convince Northerners that a Liberal party under their leadership will do things better. It will provide the North with more decision-making, a bigger share in its own resources and more attention to lingering issues of social inequality. Despite this region’s long sense of alienation from Queen’s Park, each of them suddenly understands the North. And yet all of them have been cabinet ministers, some as recently as October. What’s changed?

Their personal aspirations. Whereas they used to be concerned with their own ridings and their particular cabinet responsibilities, now they must think of Ontario as a whole. Now, the North matters.

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