I agree with that article: Tax breaks mean little or nothing when it comes to having Ring of Fire developed. And billions of dollars spent on infrastructures for native communities also mean little to miners and RofF in particular.
What is needed are infrastructures for all Canadians living in mining regions and by default natives near by will benefit just as well.
My argument is that spending money on projects that have little or no chance of monetary return is like throwing money away. WHILE spending same cash on projects such as infrastructures for mining will return not only profits to Canadians but returns to governments by way of taxes. That is sound investment.
When you provide transportation, electrical power and communications to a region you help all and more so you start a movement to further development on all fronts in that region because more things become possible at much lower cost in the end. It is a multiplicative effect like rising waters that raise all boats. Governments duty is to start the ball rolling and facilitate development there after.
Money has been thrown at water treatment facilities in northern Ontario communities and what are the results?
Within a few years that has to be repeated because of shoddy management, in other words throw more money after badly spent. Had those communities had proper access to transportation and other services a lot of those types of problems could be avoided or at least much reduced. Only throw back is that such services may make it easier for substance abuse, but remember with such services also come better enforcment of laws and regulations.
In summary, emphasis should be investing for all canadians and not for a small sector which has small returns ( these are political investments instead of economic & practical).
This from a southern Ontarian about northern Ontario. I think I could do a better comment had I had some northern experience BUT if I can see the above then why can not all politicians, after all it is their job.
I am just a bloke with hot wind and a temper,lol. Ed.
