Re: Premier's Speech...an overview
in response to
by
Massive Black Horse Chromite Discovery
Black Horse deposit has an Inferred Resource Now 85.9 Million Tonnes @ 34.5%
Message: Premier's Speech
For all to read...in the Thunder Bay paper!
Christine Kaszycki = "Lord(ess) of the Ring"
Ring bearer
By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com
-
Premier Dalton McGuinty, centre, makes a local visit Thursday afternoon.
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The province’s new Ring of Fire co-ordinator says her first task will be to bring the stakeholders together to move the multi-billion mining project forward.
Sudbury’s Christine Kaszycki, appointed to the position on Thursday by Premier Dalton McGuinty, said with a development of the size and scope of project, there’s a lot of different viewpoints that must all be considered before any progress can be made.
“(We have to get) ourselves organized around that, building consensus and support among the various partners in terms of how that should move forward and what the best approaches are,” Kaszycki said in an interview with Thunder Bay Television.
“There will be a lot of work at the outset pulling folks together, but I think there generally a goodwill across the province. Everyone wants to see this development be a success. And I take from that there will be a willingness to work together.”
Despite recent letters of intent signed between Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls and the province – the first step toward resolving mining development issues – on Thursday the region’s largest First Nation government harshly criticized the province for once again failing to consult with them on the selection process.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy said because the estimated $30-billion chromite deposit, located about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, falls on First Nation lands they should have had a say in who was chosen to fill the role.
“We are disturbed that the premier can express his willingness to create a true partnership and yet leaves us out of the critical process,” Beardy said in a release issued Thursday afternoon.
“We need to ensure that our objectives and our plans for anything in our territory are adequately represented. We should have been a part of the selection of the person to fill this critical position.”
Kaszycki has spent the past five years working for the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry as the assistant deputy minister in the mines and minerals division.
She said she was heavily involved in reforms to the Mining Act, and promised she’s up to the task.
“I have a fairly broad familiarity with many of the broad stakeholders across the North and certainly our mining partners,” she said.
“We’ve been working with many of the First Nation communities and organizations, certainly over the course of my tenure with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and before that,” she said.
McGuinty, who made a day-long visit to Thunder Bay, said he understands Kaszycki was involved in a 2007 dispute that saw six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation leaders jailed for refusing to allow junior mining company Platinex explore their traditional lands.
The premier said everyone learns from their mistakes.
“I like to think that everybody was involved has an opportunity to grow from that. I’m convinced that our new co-ordinator will bring that attitude as well,” he said.
“I think she brings a tremendous amount of goodwill and understanding, and a determination to find a way to connect with all the interested parties, especially our First Nations, to make sure we can make this Ring of Fire development a success.”
However, Conservative Northern Development, Mines and Forestry critic Randy Hillier said he’s disappointed the province didn’t consider someone from the private sector to fill the role.
Hillier said it’s great the province has finally named someone to the position, but he was expecting something else.
“I find it quite interesting that they’ve moved somebody from one desk to another in NDMF and now said this is great, spectacular news,” said Hillier, the MPP who represents Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.
“I was expecting to see somebody with a little bit more outside, private-sector experience to be that co-ordinator, to bring in those diverse, private-sector investments into the Ring of Fire. I find this a little bit strange that we would just change seating arrangements.
McGuinty said he’s not trying to please the opposition, only Northerners.
“I think we have an individual here who has a good track record when it comes to the new Mining Act,” he said.
Kaszycki will split her time between Toronto and Thunder Bay, he added. An office will be established in the city, overseen by a permanent director, who has yet to be named.
Asked about high energy costs possibly forcing a potential North Shore chromite processing plant out of the province, McGuinty said it won’t happen if he has any say in the matter.
“We are going to do everything we possibly can to ensure that Ontarians, and more specifically Northern Ontarians, maximize all of the potential to be found in this wonderful exercise. I’m not prepared to accept that we can’t find a way working together to make sure we have the mining operation, that is active and vital, and a processing facility as well,” McGuinty said.
Sudbury’s Christine Kaszycki, appointed to the position on Thursday by Premier Dalton McGuinty, said with a development of the size and scope of project, there’s a lot of different viewpoints that must all be considered before any progress can be made.
“(We have to get) ourselves organized around that, building consensus and support among the various partners in terms of how that should move forward and what the best approaches are,” Kaszycki said in an interview with Thunder Bay Television.
“There will be a lot of work at the outset pulling folks together, but I think there generally a goodwill across the province. Everyone wants to see this development be a success. And I take from that there will be a willingness to work together.”
Despite recent letters of intent signed between Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls and the province – the first step toward resolving mining development issues – on Thursday the region’s largest First Nation government harshly criticized the province for once again failing to consult with them on the selection process.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy said because the estimated $30-billion chromite deposit, located about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, falls on First Nation lands they should have had a say in who was chosen to fill the role.
“We are disturbed that the premier can express his willingness to create a true partnership and yet leaves us out of the critical process,” Beardy said in a release issued Thursday afternoon.
“We need to ensure that our objectives and our plans for anything in our territory are adequately represented. We should have been a part of the selection of the person to fill this critical position.”
Kaszycki has spent the past five years working for the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry as the assistant deputy minister in the mines and minerals division.
She said she was heavily involved in reforms to the Mining Act, and promised she’s up to the task.
“I have a fairly broad familiarity with many of the broad stakeholders across the North and certainly our mining partners,” she said.
“We’ve been working with many of the First Nation communities and organizations, certainly over the course of my tenure with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and before that,” she said.
McGuinty, who made a day-long visit to Thunder Bay, said he understands Kaszycki was involved in a 2007 dispute that saw six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation leaders jailed for refusing to allow junior mining company Platinex explore their traditional lands.
The premier said everyone learns from their mistakes.
“I like to think that everybody was involved has an opportunity to grow from that. I’m convinced that our new co-ordinator will bring that attitude as well,” he said.
“I think she brings a tremendous amount of goodwill and understanding, and a determination to find a way to connect with all the interested parties, especially our First Nations, to make sure we can make this Ring of Fire development a success.”
However, Conservative Northern Development, Mines and Forestry critic Randy Hillier said he’s disappointed the province didn’t consider someone from the private sector to fill the role.
Hillier said it’s great the province has finally named someone to the position, but he was expecting something else.
“I find it quite interesting that they’ve moved somebody from one desk to another in NDMF and now said this is great, spectacular news,” said Hillier, the MPP who represents Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.
“I was expecting to see somebody with a little bit more outside, private-sector experience to be that co-ordinator, to bring in those diverse, private-sector investments into the Ring of Fire. I find this a little bit strange that we would just change seating arrangements.
McGuinty said he’s not trying to please the opposition, only Northerners.
“I think we have an individual here who has a good track record when it comes to the new Mining Act,” he said.
Kaszycki will split her time between Toronto and Thunder Bay, he added. An office will be established in the city, overseen by a permanent director, who has yet to be named.
Asked about high energy costs possibly forcing a potential North Shore chromite processing plant out of the province, McGuinty said it won’t happen if he has any say in the matter.
“We are going to do everything we possibly can to ensure that Ontarians, and more specifically Northern Ontarians, maximize all of the potential to be found in this wonderful exercise. I’m not prepared to accept that we can’t find a way working together to make sure we have the mining operation, that is active and vital, and a processing facility as well,” McGuinty said.
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