A northern Ontario First Nation has inked a multi-million dollar partnership deal with the provincial government to accelerate construction of a road to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.
The province will provide the Webequie First Nation with up to $39.5 million to acquire materials and equipment necessary to start preliminary work on a road leading to the proposed Ring of Fire mining site, Premier Doug Ford announced during an Oct. 29 press conference.
Webequie First Nation Chief Cornelius Wabasse told reporters at the press conference that the new road will ensure prosperity for his community located in the centre of Treaty 9 territory some 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. He described the Webequie supply road as essential for his remote community that currently is accessible only by air, water, or a winter road.
The proposed 107-kilometre, all-season road would connect the Ojibway community to future development areas near McFaulds Lake in the Ring of Fire, a region that is home to substantial reserves of chromite, cobalt, copper, nickel, and platinum.
“The Webequie Supply Road is more than a road—it’s a pathway to opportunity, access and growth on our terms,” Wabasse said in a joint statement with the province released after the press conference. “This Agreement with Ontario is a meaningful step in our ongoing work to lead development that supports our community’s well-being, strengthens our infrastructure, upholds Webequie First Nation’s way of life and creates lasting economic opportunities for our people.”
Ford said road construction could begin as early as next June, but he first needs the federal government to eliminate an impact assessment that he says duplicates efforts already undertaken by Webequie. The community this month completed the draft report stage of an environmental assessment on the supply road.
Two additional proposed routes would also connect Webequie to the provincial highway network situated hundreds of kilometres to the south. The First Nation is jointly overseeing another study on the Northern Link Road, which would extend southward from the Webequie Supply Road and the Ring of Fire, connecting with Marten Falls First Nation.
Ford said he is hoping Ottawa will get “out of the way” by eliminating the need for more studies and red tape.
“Prime Minister Carney made a commitment to us to get out of the way of nation building projects,” Ford said. “To his credit, he is putting action behind his words. I look forward to getting our agreement across the finish line so we can move faster, be bolder, go further and build the future of our economy, starting in the Ring of Fire.”
Ring of Fire Push
Ford has been pushing for months to have the Ring of Fire identified as a “nation-building” project under provisions of the One Canadian Economy Act, an initiative by the Mark Carney government to accelerate the timeline on projects that will benefit Canada’s economy.
The Ontario government passed similar legislation in June known as the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. Formerly known as Bill 5, it allows the province to exempt companies or projects from compliance with any provincial law, provincial regulation, or municipal bylaw through the designation of special economic zones. These zones enable the provincial government to expedite projects like the construction of roads and launching of mines.
While some First Nations like Webequie are onboard with the projects the Ford government is proposing, others are not.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford was asked during the press conference how legal challenges of Bill 5 by some First Nations will impact moving ahead with the Ring of Fire development.
Rickford said the legal process will not be a hindrance to provincial plans.
“There isn’t any part of Bill 5 that’s currently being applied to the Ring of Fire,” he said. “Today’s historic agreement, I think, charts a path forward that will open up those communities to greater economic prosperity, better access to health and social services, cheaper goods and services, and obviously align with the province’s goal to bring industry and commerce to the region like they’ve not seen before.”
He pointed to the funding Ontario is allotting to Webequie First Nation. While the $39.5 million will be used for road construction, a portion has also been allotted to rebuild its airport terminal that was recently destroyed in a fire, as well as to build a community centre with an arena. Some of the funding will also be allotted for mental health and social supports.
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