Charlie speaks on Noront smelter plan in Parliament

NEWS RELEASE
MP CHARLIE ANGUS
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OTTAWA – Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus spoke in Parliament today about the siting process for the proposed Noront ferrochrome smelter.

Angus pointed out that the approval process for the smelter must consider the social, environmental and community concerns around such a major undertaking. For this reason, the Timmins bid has a clear advantage. 

Community opposition in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie has raised legitimate questions about the environmental impacts of siting a smelter within city limits. Angus says this opposition from local citizens must be considered in the siting process. He points out that the Timmins location has widespread public support because it far removed from residential neighbourhoods and in a location that has already been sited for smelting operations.

“To build a smelter you need social and environmental license. In Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie there are valid concerns. In the Timmins region, we have a site that is set up, that has full social support, and it will help build the support for the Ontario Northland railway.”

Angus says that the larger social benefit of the siting of a project must be considered.

“We know that the Timmins project will have a much larger social, environmental benefit for the larger region and will not face social opposition.”