Speaking Notes for Roy Hains:

Thank you, Brian and Al. And thank you all for being here today.

Like Brian, the employees he represents, and most of you here, I too

am from the North. This is my home. It just happens to be at the other

end of Lake Nipissing.

That above all explains why I have taken such a keen and active

interest in this project. Brian and I were on different sides of the table

when I last worked on the revitalization of ONTC. We both share a

passion for the North and its people, and we are both committed to

creating jobs and building a stronger economy in the region.

The Ontario government’s planned divestment of ONTC, and the

enormous opportunities presented by the Ring of Fire, have put us

back at the table. Brian and his colleagues have been instrumental in

the design and development of this plan over the last stressful six

months.

With broad and building support, I am very confident that our plan is

workable and sustainable.

The Ring of Fire offers perhaps the largest economic development

opportunity in all of Ontario today. We are talking about the potential

for thousands of construction jobs, thousands of mining jobs, a multibillion

dollar GDP impact, a wealth of new tax revenues and new

prosperity for many First Nations communities.

The New Deal we are unveiling today is the best way to unlock those

opportunities.

The rail solution we propose is by far the most economic and

greenest solution for bulk transport of supplies in and heavy ore out.

Rail produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than road,

and much less pollution.

I know from my discussions with First Nations communities in the

region that this is important to them. Moreover, rail offers all-weather

transportation – a key consideration in Northern Ontario’s tough

winter climate.

I would like to recognize the invaluable help provided by the First

Nations in discussions with them over the last six months.

Chief Gagnon for stressing the importance of developing the Pagwa

sub from Hearst to Nakina. Chief Eli Moonias for his assistance with

the design of the organizational model for the regional economic

development committees, which are outlined in the backgrounder.

Chief Wabasse for his countenance and encouragement to keep

improving this model. Grand Chief Stan Louttit for representing the

interests of his people over many discussions, and his invitation to

join him and his tribal council at the Fox Lake Reserve to discuss the

plan in detail, which we did.

(best wishes for GC Louttit’s recovery)

One of the key players in this initiative is a major Ring of Fire claim

holder, Canada Chrome Corporation. Looking ahead to the need for

rail transportation, Canada Chrome made a significant investment to

study and secure a viable right of way to its Ring of Fire claims.

Thanks to their foresight and work, we have a solid base from which

our plan can move forward.

Another key player I have had the pleasure of working with on this

project is Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin. Jay is actively

promoting this plan to his colleagues in Ottawa.

The federal government is a major stakeholder the New Deal as it

oversees the Canada Marine Act. We are proposing to execute our

plan within a Ports Authority under the Marine Act, which offers the

perfect vessel to:

 Establish and coordinate infrastructure systems for the benefit

of the region’s residents;

 Enable and ensure that the First Nation communities have

direct governance participation

 Operate the existing ports of Moosonee and Webequie

 Construct the new Port of Koper Lake and the connecting

railway from the port of Koper Lake to Exton; and

 Acquire and make viable the continuing assets of ONTC.

Our plan contemplates a territory framed by the Ports Authority

assets from the Ring of Fire mine site, south to Nakina, southeast to

North Bay, and north to Moosonee.

This model will ensure that the social, economic and environmental

benefits of the Ring of Fire are shared with the people in this territory

as they are realized over time.

We are fortunate to have our federal representative in Ottawa, Jay

Aspin, as an enthusiastic supporter of our plan. It is with pleasure that

I invite him now to say a few words.

Thank you.