Justin Trudeau, leader of the federal Liberal party, makes a point during a visit to the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre on Thursday. JOHN LAPPA/THE SUDBURY STAR

A Liberal federal government would play a key role in helping Ontario develop the Ring of Fire by providing matching funds or loan guarantees similar to those offered in the Upper Churchill to develop infrastructure, says Justin Trudeau.

The Ring of Fire is a tremendous resource not just for Northern Ontario, but for the entire country, said the Liberal Party leader during a visit Thursday to Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre.

"The federal government needs to be part of the infrastructure projects that are going to unlock this great potential," Trudeau told reporters after a tour of the aboriginal health centre where a chorus of three-year-olds sang to him in Ojibwe.

When asked what he thought about the battle of words between Ottawa and Ontario over who should do what to develop the chromite deposits, Trudeau said too much of politics is focused on finger-pointing.
"People need to sit down together and try to figure out the way to move forward that will be of benefit economically but also for communities, for our first peoples and for the long-term sustainability of our environment as well."...

When asked if he would be presenting a more detailed party platform before the 2015 federal election, Trudeau said he was leaving room for Canadians to help develop solutions.

"Many parties do too much work in the backrooms and then try to sell it in 36-day campaigns," he said.

carol.mulligan@sunmedia.ca