The Ontario liberals: It's like talking to a brick wall.

The fundamental issue has always been the supply and delivery of chromium concentrate, ferro-chrome, and nickel at the best long term competitive world price while obtaining social license through provision of needed infrastructure to mine and local communities, while respecting conservation environmental models.




Why would Harper meet with Wynne to discuss the Ring of Fire?

Ontario has yet to solve the most important issues;

• formal declaration of full First Nation participation, i.e., them sitting at the development corporation table
• a clear plan how the $1 billion will be spent in Ring of Fire, in relation to the transportation of chromite ore and servicing local communities
• make the ONTC freight rail and refurbishment services part of the solution
  

Instead of working with the Matawa First Nation in the Ring of Fire to develop the corporation, Chief Cornelius Wabasse said the Ontario government “unilaterally move(d) ahead,” a decision he called “disappointing.” “Now they’re at the stage where they put in a board of directors from their side, the Ontario side. But there is no First Nation content. That’s the problem with that (development corporation).”

While the province championed a regional framework agreement with Matawa, Moonias said it's been a long time since any discussion has taken place. "We haven't really heard from them since they won the majority government and I don't know what’s happening," he said.

The Mushkegowuk council, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Anishinabek Nation, and Métis Nation of Ontario have to be at the table too.

Meanwhile, Wynne said she asked the prime minister on Sept. 16 for a meeting “at his earliest convenience to discuss a variety of issues relating to economic growth, developing safe and prosperous communities, and building a strong Ontario within a strong Canada.” He finally replied on Monday — 62 days later — but made no mention of a sit-down session.

Ms. Wynne, are you beginning to learn how neglected the Matawa First Nation's feel?

It is evident that an east west or north south all weather road can not deliver the $50B worth of chromite from the Ring of Fire to market economically.

Hauling the chromite concentrate out by truck costs $60/t, by train, $10/t, a difference of $50. Chromite concentrate is only worth about $200/t, while ferro-chrome is about $2,370 CAD/t”. Refining chromite concentrate into ferrochrome using natural gas costs less than 50 percent of the cost of using electricity in the refining process.

North Bay Mayor, Al MacDonald, one of your ONTC Ministerial Advisory Committee members, said that Ontario’s divestiture (disguised as a transformation plan) for the ONTC had "placed it on life support". The mayor explained that Ontario’s creation of a "development corporation" was not needed. All the pieces were there already to move the ONTC into the "James Bay & Lowlands Ports Authority". Ontario could have saved so much time!