I have a hard time understanding politicians. They will not spend money today because they do not seem to value that as an investment for the future from which they will get their money back with interest.
I suspect no one ( not me) expects the Ontario and federal governments to spend a billion dollars each on infrastructures all at once.
Not only is it a big investment and (granted) it does require some planning and consultation BUT as I see it both governments are planning and consulting as if their money was going to be spent yesterday.
What I want to see is for a start on the East/West road to Webequie and the Ring.
Shortly after an electrical power line built to the Ring, either from Pickle Lake of from James Bay, depending who can do it first and easier.
After that both governments can sit back for a couple of years until the tax money starts to come in from Noront operations of the mine.
Not that there will be a huge amount from those taxes but it will show every body who is interested in the future of the Ring that some basic infrastructure is there and it is safe to invest in the region.
With the psychology of stagnation partly wiped away I am certain investment dollars would start to flow from private interests to partner up with native communities and governments.
There is no problem with the railway being built later to haul the chromite and remaining ores. That railway being built early is mostly a priority for KWG. It should not be so for the remainder of the companies of the Ring if stagnation for many more years is the other alternative.
Future is built one brick at a time.