Re: "Nothing about Ring of Fire: MP," April 24.

I am disappointed but not surprised to read that Claude Gravelle, NDP member of parliament for Nickel Belt, is misleading your readers about the content of our federal balanced budget. Despite his claim otherwise, Budget 2015 indeed includes new support for the Ring of Fire, which would be evident had he bothered to read it.

As stated on page 218: "Chromite deposits located in Ontario's Ring of Fire have production potential that could make Canada a significant global producer, processor and supplier of products that contain the critical metal chromium."

Our budget therefore specifically proposes to allocate an additional $23 million to stimulate technological innovation needed to develop rare earth metals and chromite.

Pages 211 and 212 also include initiatives that build on our government's support for mining by extending the mineral exploration tax credit for another year, and announcing new measures making it easier for companies raise capital, create jobs and contribute to the economy.

Unfortunately, the Mulcair NDP's opposition to our tangible support for the development of the Ring of Fire is not new. Readers of The Sudbury Star will recall their predictable criticism of our recent investment with the province in First Nations' plans for a transportation corridor.

If the NDP doesn't support the first step towards advancing development of the Ring of Fire -- focusing on specific proposals that improve community access -- they certainly can't be counted on to support the others in our Budget last week.

Nevertheless, we call on the Mulcair NDP to support our balanced budget and additional support for the Ring of Fire, instead of advocating risky high-tax schemes and re-establishing the wasteful, ineffective long gun registry.

Only our Conservative government can be trusted to manage Canada's economy and keep taxes low for Northerners.

Greg Rickford

Federal Minister of Natural Resources

and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario