political war is on hopefully will bring some benefit to the ROF.

THUNDER BAY – Leader’s Ledger – Today the NDP showed us that they have no vision for moving Northern Ontario forward. The NDP’s plan to shut Northern Ontario’s doors to mineral investment by forcing mining companies to process only in Ontario, will undoubtedly mean thousands of good paying jobs lost. Ontario currently processes minerals mined in 4 provinces, the U.S. and even Peru, Chile and Australia. If we close our doors, these jurisdictions will certainly close theirs.

Our government believes that the best way to attract investment is to create a business climate in which companies want to invest and our plan is working. New mines are being built, old mines are reopening and expanding, and exploration is hitting a new record level.

The Ring of Fire development is well on its way. We have built a good relationship with Cliffs Resources and we are working diligently to ensure that their processing facility is located in Northern Ontario.

Our government’s investments in the forestry sector, along with the wood provided in the wood supply competition, have created or maintained over 4,000 forestry-related jobs in Ontario. And our Modernized Forest Tenure model is a model that ensures that communities, municipalities and Aboriginal people will all benefit by working more closely together.

Under the McGuinty government, real progress has been made in the forestry and mining sectors, and we will continue to focus on moving Northern Ontario forward by encouraging investment that puts our resources and our people to work.

Hon. Michael Gravelle,
Minister Northern Development, Mines and Forestry
and M.P.P. Thunder Bay – Superior North