Ontario's Environmental Commissioner said the mining industry used claim staking to “circumvent” the McGuinty's government plan to protect half the Far North and the boreal forest from development.

In his annual report, released Sept. 22, Gord Miller said two lines of claims, hundreds of kilometres long, were staked by mining companies for a future rail access leading out of the Ring of Fire deposits in the James Bay lowlands.

Miller said using claims to “cut rail lines” across the boreal forest “nullifies any reasonable discussion” about how to plan the protection of Northern Ontario.

Miller said the government's silence on this matter implies this is appropriate.

His report was released one day before the government passed third reading of its controversial Bill 191, the Far North Act.

The report said that the goverment has been ineffective in allowing mining service companies to illegally construct a camp and airstrips without approval.

“These cases raise legitimate concerns that the government is either unaware of, or turning a blind eye to, mining-related activities that undermine the effectiveness of land use planning in the Far North."

He added the revamped Mining Act has fallen short by excluding the consideration of environmental impacts in the early stages of mineral exploration before development can occur.

“The environment is an after-thought when the government regulates mining in Ontario.”