If this is the case then the Matawa First Nations stand to be the biggest losers here, because really it would appear the government has said, "Fine. If you can't be reasonable about your demands, and our efforts to open the Ring of Fire responsibly, then we'll just have to take the taxpayer's money and invest it elsewhere. Let us know when your infighting stops, and your serious about doing something that actually helps your people, and Canada too. 

I personally do not think it is our government who is holding up progress. But rather our Matawa First Nations. I think it is high time that they establish independently what each community stands to gain from the development of the Ring of Fire. Instead, I think there is this view among some of them that every community must be treated equally, which is not practical. There will be those who profit more than others. This is just the nature of business. By contrast the rest of Canada should not be made to feel that the Ring of Fire is the only way Canada can payback the Matawa First Nations for past wrongs, and cure them of their "It's us against them, and they owe us" attitudes. All I am saying is they should be careful about what they wish for, and any unreasonable demands they place on society. There is a point where the rest of Canada will either help, or hinder, their progress, and when that happens they may just find they have only themselves to blame.

If partnership is what they want then a fair deal is what they should expect...If not then a partnership is not in Canada's best interests. Only theirs.  Many other First Nations have made this realisation that they must be fair and just. That's why they have agreements with industry, and the government, and Matawa currently for the past 10+ years does not. If their purpose for waiting so long was to establish trust, and seek a better deal for all, then I understand. Point well taken. Good chess move. But if they are trying to wait us out for more then they're all fools for doing so. Those First Nations who matter should be dealt with. All others cast aside. The time has now come for Matawa to come to the table with reasonable expectations, because if not Canada will have no other choice but to move on without them...and so will everyone else.

If that is what they want then they're about to succeed. 

TM.