Who has more to gain, federal or provincial government from the developed Ring?
I say the Feds. Why?
Tax revenue collected should be about equal for both.
I think the main difference is in cost savings to the Feds from lower costs to the native communities who in turn are funded by federal support payments.
That is why I justify my reasoning that the Feds should not only fund at least half of the costs but should be in the fore front in the decision process of what and how.
Granted, Roads are a provincial domain. But that means where the roads go and who is to maintain them. That does not preclude that the Feds should not help with the funding up front.
Saying that the province should do all the planing and just present a ready made package to the federal government is simply off loading all responsibility onto province when the Feds have as much to gain if not more.

I presume that no one says that the feds should present a blank cheque to the province or to the Development corporation. But the funding guarantees should be made well before final plans are made and development starts. Plans made without guarantee of support is just wasted planning. If it was good enough to do so for province it should be enough for federal government.

Any how, I have stated my view often enough and do not expect that the world should turn according to Ed. Am patient and ever hopefull.