Funding for Ring of Fire must include First Nations: Bob Rae

Bob Rae said any funding from the Ontario and federal governments on the northern Ring of Fire mining project needs to address the social and economic needs of the area’s First Nations communities.

Rae, the former premier of Ontario and former Liberal MP, is the chief negotiator for the Matawa First Nations Tribal Council, which represents nine First Nations located around the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is a rich mineral deposit in northern Ontario, more than 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. The provincial government has pledged funds to build infrastructure to allow development of the isolated area, which is more than 300 kilometres from the nearest road.

Mining the region’s gold, platinum and chromite deposits could generate billions of dollars in tax revenue and thousands of full-time jobs, according to a new report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

The report, which was released Thursday, estimates development of the region will generate more than $9 billion in GDP and almost $6.2 billion for Ontario’s mining industry.

“We think the Ring of Fire provides Ontario with one of the single biggest opportunities now and certainly well into the future,” said Allan O’Dette, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce.

Nearly $2 billion of funding is needed to build infrastructure to access the area.

Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s minister of northern development and mines, said the province is committed to make a “significant investment” to meet the infrastructure needs.

Gravelle called on the federal government to match the province’s funds.

Rae said funding needs to include improvements to community infrastructure for northern First Nations, such as access to broadband internet.

“It’s not an either/or proposition. Our concern is to make sure there’s that sense of balance in the discussions,” Rae said.