Fedeli and Gravelle grapple over ONTC and Ring of Fire

Monday, February 02, 2015 by: Chris Dawson

While the Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle was talking good news on Friday in North Bay, the future of the ONTC became a key focus during the Minister’s media scrum with the local media on Friday morning at Metso Minerals.

Last week Gravelle met with Federal Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford about the Ring of Fire. The Wynne government has accused the Harper government of procrastinating on matching Ontario’s $1 billion infrastructure commitment for development of the mining camp, while Ottawa has criticized Queen’s Park for its lack of a detailed plan from its controversial Ring of Fire development corporation.

A recent rumoured sale of the ONTC rail division to a James Bay Coast Tribal Council and a Southern Ontario railway was denied recently by the Wynne government. The Ring of Fire initiative is thought to be the potential saviour for the ONTC’s rail division.

The question of the ONTC’s inclusion on a Ring of Fire Committee caused a stir Friday when Gravelle was asked about it on Friday.

“That's so jumping ahead of discussions and I find it difficult to comment on,” said Gravelle rather bluntly.

“You know there is much work and engagement going on obviously with the Ring of Fire as well. The focus of the ONTC is very much to make sure we help the organization get on a sustainable, long term basis so we can actually build and prosper and see more opportunities, so that's where we are going. So to jump ahead with that kind of discussion, I'm always looking for good, strong advice, related to the Ring of Fire there are always interesting things that are happening.”

Fedeli, who wasn’t at the provincial funding announcement in his riding, didn’t beat around the bush when he was asked about the Wynne government’s handling of the ONTC relating to the Ring of Fire.

“This government has been dithering on the Ring of Fire for eight years now,” Nipissing M.P.P. Vic Fedeli told BayToday.ca from Queen’s Park Friday where he was involved in pre-budget hearings.

“To suggest discussion of the ONTC having a seat at the Ring of Fire development table is somehow premature is quite simply disingenuous, irresponsible, and outrageous,” he added.