https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/wynne-brushing-off-ring-of-fire-is-unacceptable-krmpotich-611943

Wynne brushing off Ring of Fire is unacceptable: Krmpotich

FILE PHOTO: Ward 6 councillor Joe Krmpotich. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

NEWS RELEASE

NDP CANDIDATE JOE KRMPOTICH

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After Premier Kathleen Wynne's very short campaign stop in Sault Ste. Marie yesterday, NDP candidate Joe Krmpotich said he was deeply troubled that Wynne was so dismissive of serious concerns about her choice to ignore the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire didn't even rate a mention in Wynne's 2017 budget, released in April. In the Sault yesterday and facing questions about why that was the case, Wynne brushed off the concerns and refused to make any commitments.

"Apparently, the Ring of Fire isn't even on her radar - and she thinks that's no big deal," said Krmpotich. "There's not one mention of the Ring of Fire in the budget. There's not one dime in there this year for its development.

"Developing the Ring of Fire could mean thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars coming into our region, our communities and to First Nations, which have to be a partner in this development. Premier Wynne and the Liberals have done so much damage to the Sault - to our jobs market and to our economy - and we're talking about jobs that could put food on the table for families, and allow young people to choose to stay here.

"For Premier Wynne and Ms. Amaroso to just brush off people's concerns, and leave the Ring of Fire in limbo, is deeply troubling to me."

The Ring of Fire is a massive chromite deposit in northern Ontario that, if unlocked, could mean thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity for the region.

Sault Ste. Marie is shortlisted to be a manufacturing hub for the development - a $600-million to $800-million investment which would bring a smelter that's critical to stainless steel production into the Sault.

Ignoring the potential for massive economic benefit to the Sault, Wynne is refusing to invest in the region this year, shutting down that conversation, despite strong interest from industry and City.

"Too many young people have been forced to move away to find good jobs," said Krmpotich. "But it doesn't have to be this way. By fighting for the Sault to get the investment it deserves, we can give our kids the same opportunity I had: to find a good job here, and raise my kids here.

"The Ring of Fire matters. Premier Wynne doesn't understand what she's doing to people and families in the Sault - and it's time we stand up to her, stop her from doing any more damage to our economy here in the Sault, and light the Ring of Fire."