Queen’s Park signs Ring of Fire planning and development deal

TORONTO — The Government of Ontario has taken the next step in the development of a new roadway in northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, signing a planning and development deal with Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation.

The new Northern Road Link would connect to the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road at the south end and to the proposed Webequie Supply Road at the north end, enabling both communities to access the chromite-rich Ring of Fire region west of James Bay once the three roads are built, stated a March 2 release.

Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford were joined by Chief Bruce Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation and Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention March 2 for a signing ceremony.

The government announced its support for the north-south road last August, rejecting a proposed east-west access road favoured by other First Nations. Members of the East-West Ring of Fire Road Coalition were also at the mining conference presenting their proposal. The coalition consists of the chiefs of the First Nation communities of Lac Seul, Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, the mayors of Sioux Narrows /Nestor Falls, Kenora, Ear Falls, Red Lake, Machin, Dryden, Ignace, Pickle Lake and Sioux Lookout, and Morgan Fuels, Perron Contracting and the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord.

“After 15 years of delay by the previous government, we said we would build a road to the Ring of Fire, and we are working with our incredible partners in the Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation to do just that and make sure we do it right,” said Ford. “Together, we can bring jobs and prosperity to communities across the Far North. Promises made, promises kept.”

“We look forward to working together with Ontario to ensure the sustainable development of our ancestral territories,” said Achneepineskum. “Marten Falls First Nation takes seriously our right to make decisions for the betterment of our community. We are moving ahead with this agreement so all communities in the region can connect to the next phase, which is to secure and bring good-paying jobs in mining, construction and other skilled trades to our communities.”