Feds urge province to address power rates

Posted on December 13, 2011

0

The federal government has entered the Ring of Fire chromite debate with the suggestion that the province “do something” about its electricity pricing.

In Sudbury Monday for funding announcements, FedNor Minister Tony Clement said the federal government has a role in Ring of Fire development and the creation of jobs in the North.

For processing jobs to remain in Ontario, however, Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty and his government will have to do something about electricity rates, he said.

He urged the province to “step up” on the issue and said that while the federal government “wants to be part of the solution … energy pricing, that’s Mr. McGuinty’s bailiwick.”

Clement said the federal government has become “much more aware and integrated into the development of the Ring of Fire as it goes forward.” He cited regulatory issues and dialogue with First Nations as two areas of federal involvement.

“I see this as one of the biggest things that’s going to happen in Northern Ontario for one, two generations perhaps. so we have to make sure we maximize the positive impacts of it,” he said in a Sudbury Star article.

He also advised against over-complicating the environmental assessment process, while still ensuring that the proper environmental precautions are taken.