Globe says Noront hears PM, Wynne working things out

2013-12-06 07:13 ET - In the News

The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Dec. 6, edition that Ontario and the federal government have begun to resolve their differences over the Ring of Fire, after a meeting between Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Globe's Bill Curry and Adrian Morrow write that the pair met on Parliament Hill on Thursday to discuss issues including plans to develop Northern Ontario resources. The province wants Ottawa to help pay for infrastructure, including a road or rail line, to develop the Ring of Fire, an area 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay that contains an estimated $60-billion in minerals. Noront Resources is the main player in the region. Ontario is planning a development corporation with representatives from industry, three levels of government and first nations to oversee construction. Mr. Harper's spokesman Jason MacDonald said the two had a "productive, constructive discussion." He said: "They both agreed that the two levels of government will continue to collaborate on this important development. ... They also agreed that any investments by either level of government must represent a public benefit, including for first nations."