PC Leader Tim Hudak released Paths to Prosperity: Affordable Energy in this file photo from May 2012. In Thunder Bay Monday, Hudak released the party's Paths to Prosperity: A Champion for Northern Jobs and Resources.

The provincial Tories believe the North is key to fuelling Ontario's economy and identify the Ring of Fire as the largest single resource opportunity for future prosperity.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak released his party's plan for Northern Ontario Monday in Thunder Bay. The 27-page report is titled Paths to Prosperity – A Champion for Northern Jobs and Resources. The first step is “to work with business and aboriginal communities to expedite the construction of an all-season transportation link to the Ring of Fire.”

The PC Caucus White Paper also outlines the future of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

The Tories are promising to stop the current government's fire sale, perform a strategic review of all assets and guarantee the rail freight line will be kept in public hands.

“The ONTC's freight rail service is a vital piece of public infrastructure, as important to the north as Highway 401 is to the south. We need to keep the freight line as a provincial asset. No one would sell the tracks out from under GO trains and the same should apply to ONTCs freight rail service,” according to the report.

The Ontario government announced in March 2012 it was divesting the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. The Northlander, a six-days-a-week passenger train service connecting Cochrane to Toronto, was discontinued at the end of September last year.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said the document acknowledges Northern Ontario as the next frontier.

“We think our area is rich in forest and mining resources. We have 66 mining and manufacturing companies in North Bay,” he said.

“Any time you have a champion for the mining industry, it's good for places like North Bay, Powassan and Mattawa. We're a party that's interested in reviving Ontario's economy using resources.”

Fedeli said the Ring of Fire, ONTC and a guarantee level of supply of lumber are all critical to Nipissing.

“We want to shine light on Northern Ontario, but all decisions are being made in Queen's Park and those who are making decisions have never seen Northern Ontario and they don't understand how different it is,” he said.

For his part, Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines said Hudak “simply doesn't know the facts.

“Our commitment is clear—we are going to continue to support economic growth throughout Northern Ontario by investing in people, investing in infrastructure and by supporting business to help create jobs,” he said.

“In the last 10 years alone, 23 new mines have opened with eight more set to come online in the next few years. There are tremendous opportunities coming to the North that will significantly benefit not only our region but the entire province and our government is laying the groundwork to ensure these benefits are not only realized but maximized. We are committed to the development of the Ring of Fire which will result in thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic development opportunities for Northerners and First Nations Communities. However, this work must be done right from the start, and that includes working with all our partners to ensure people have the right skills to make this project a success.”

j.hamilton-mccharles@sunmedia.ca