Globe says Rickford now the man for Enbridge, others

2014-03-20 08:13 ET - In the News

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The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, March 20, edition that Greg Rickford has been named to replace Joe Oliver as Natural Resources Minister. The Globe's Shawn McCarthy writes that Mr. Rickford will need to call on his experience working with first nations to resolve major hurdles in the Tory government's plan for energy and mining development. Mr. Rickford faces resource battles in British Columbia and Ontario. The Globe says that in both cases, the government's relationship with aboriginal communities and its willingness to help finance their development are key. He will need to navigate the government's consultations with B.C. first nations over Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, and working with Ontario to make progress on the Ring of Fire mineral development (Noront Resources is a player in the region), which is also mired in tough aboriginal discussions. The new resources minister has served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and served as the junior minister responsible for Northern Ontario, including the Ring of Fire. Industry officials and other observers say Mr. Rickford appears qualified for the job.