What is to be taken away from all of this is:

NT: Will the environmental assessment on the north-south road also commence in January?

MG: That’s the plan, but in 2018 for sure. Marten Fals First Nation is very enthusiastic about moving ahead with this project.

My gut says both Noront and Marten Falls are ready to go.  The rest of Matawa is secondary to what has to be done.  To maintain the Liberal agenda, see Noront succeed, and create a new future for Matawa, Ring of Fire progress must be made; all parties know this.  It is becoming quite apparent that it is a N-S route that is what is desired.  The E-W route has changed considerably from its original path.  What Noront had originally intended as a means to connect 4 out of the 5 First Nations no longer exists; for now.  Neskantaga and Eabametoong First Nation are being pressured to accept the deal in front of them, because going to the trouble of an E-W road without including them is a waste of tax payers' money, and defeats the purpose of connecting these remote First Nations.  The announcement on August 21st was a warning shot across the bows of Neskantaga and Eabamentoong; IMO.

 The Liberals are stalling, and they have asked the aforementioned parties to wait until they have things in place.  Could it be because the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) needs to be in place first?  Could it be just until the CCAA process with Algoma is finalized, and the steel mill is secured by Maga Steel Corp.? or Could it be that the Liberals are looking to BlackRock for guidance?....or is BlackRock or another larger investment entity calling the shots here?......

The timing for the Ring of Fire will be right when those who matter get what they came for out of it.  For the Liberals that means their time is ticking.  They can afford to wait till next year, but come 2018 their plans better unfold perfectly or they may just lose their prized jewel.

TM.