http://www.ontla.on.ca/house-proceedings/transcripts/files_pdf/11-SEP-2017_L090.pdf

RING OF FIRE

Mr. Ross Romano: My question is for the Premier.
The Ring of Fire is one of the greatest opportunities
northern Ontario has ever seen. And yet, for 11 years
since its discovery, the government has claimed that the
north matters, but actions speak louder than words. All
we’ve actually received is announcement after reannouncement—and always during an election year—but
no actual progress to date.
Leading up to the 2014 election, they promised us $1
billion, but then they axed it from this year’s budget.
Recently, the Premier made yet another election announcement, but they’ve already taken the money away,
and they still haven’t even bothered to speak to the
federal government for help. It’s just more of the same
old story.

Mr. Speaker, will the Premier just admit what we
already  know, that these announcements are nothing
more than Liberal photo ops to win over voter support in
an election year?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne:  Let me welcome the
member to the Legislature. It’s great to have you here,
but I have to say that we probably need to offer you a
technical briefing on the Ring of Fire file.
In fact, the $1 billion is in place, and we have worked
with the First Nations communities and with the mining
companies very, very closely. We are now at a place
where we actually have a framework agreement with all
of the Matawa First Nations, and we have an agreement
with three of the First Nations, with Webequie, with
Nibinamik and with Marten Falls, to move ahead on
building community roads. That will mean that the infrastructure that will be paid for by that billion dollars, in
part at least, is in the budget, and we’re moving ahead.
That’s a great success, and I look forward to seeing that
infrastructure built.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be
seated, please. Thank you.
Supplementary.

Mr. Ross Romano: Again to the Premier: I appreciate
the lecture, but perhaps we can actually get an answer to
this next question.
During these last 11 years of inaction on the Ring of
Fire, this government has attributed the delay to promises
that they were consulting with all of the impacted
Matawa communities the right way and to ensuring that
all five of those communities were on board with the
development. Yet, in the Premier’s recent development
announcement, we learned that she has only obtained the
support of three of the five communities.
Neskantaga and Eabametoong have publicly stated
that they have not been properly consulted with and that
they will oppose this development. How has the Premier
failed to secure their support as previously promised and

how can the Premier possibly keep this year’s election
promise in the face of such opposition?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne:  I’m pleased that the
member opposite at least was told by his policy folks that
there is an agreement with the three First Nations. That is
a huge step forward.
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I have met with the nine—there are actually nine—
Matawa First Nations repeatedly, with the Minister of
Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. It’s a complex issue; there is no
doubt about it. There are competing interests within the
nine groups. Those communities are looking for slightly
different things in terms of the infrastructure build.
But it is important for all of us in this House to know
that we will continue to work with all of those First
Nations. The fact that we have an agreement with three
does not preclude that we will continue to work with the
rest. We will in fact continue to work with all of the other
six First Nations. They know that. They have sat at the
table with me. They know that we’re going to work with
them, and we will find a way to make sure that this development benefits all—
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. New question.