Hey Sudbury,

I have to say that I have appreciated your posts for a long time, but I have to differ on this one. Whether or not Gravelle said or didn't say that it was or wasn't contingent or conditionnal upon the Feds equal contribution, it hardly matters, given his party's record of upholding previous statements... but let's look at the following:

1. if he did, then it will be perceived as a sign of weakness by the Conserv and NDP and they will eat him alive;

2. if he did, then he is just asking the Feds to make him look bad by delaying their share; you don't give ultimatums to the feds;

3. if he did, then he makes himself very vulnerable in being perceived as delaying the development for political reasons;

4. on the other hand if he didn't, then he looks like his intentions are honorable and non-partisan;

5. if he didn't then he appears to have his priorities in order and the economic development at the forefront;

6. if he didn't then he has a better chance at posturing so as to put the feds in "the ones who are delaying" position, given that they have already told him the all he has to do is apply to the existing program.

I am also interested in your statement that the feds would uphold the whole thing for partisan reasons. Don't they have more to lose if they don't contribute soon... 1.votes in Ontario in the next election (they have to allow time for this money to take root and show some tangible results)... 2.taking a chance that this world class development will be perceived as achieved by Ontario, not Canada... 3.being perceived a favouring other provinces ove Ontario for parisan reasons.

The feds know that the Ont Libs have screwed up with Cliffs...this is their chance to take control of it with the port authority, approval of take-over(s) or partnerships (PPP) and subsequent enhanced trading relationship with the US in this crucial arena of materials (commodities) that are essential to national security.

If any conditions are set, it will be by the Feds, who will probably require the ROF corporation to deal with the Port Authority (if they don't end up being one and the same) for the extra funding through bond issues, the building of the RR and the marketing of the minerals both ore and refined on the international markets.

I do appreciate your extensive research and many quality posts over the years, but on this one, I think the balance of probabilties tells us that if he did say it, he shouldn't have. I know he did call on the Feds to match the funds, but I didn't hear any conditionnal tone to it.

Best of luck to you and all KWG Longs

Le Penseur