Sudbury letter: Ring of Fire progresss – minister – by Michael Gravelle (Sudbury Star – March 14, 2016)

http://www.thesudburystar.com/

Michael Gravelle is the current Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Minister Gravelle was in charge this ministry when Cliffs Natural Resources became so frustrated with Ontario government inaction, incompetence and inept mining policy that the company decided cancel its proposed $3.3 billion chromite investment in the Ring of Fire, permanently damaging the province’s international reputation in mining circles. – Stan Sudol

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Stan Sudol’s recent guest column regarding development in the Ring of Fire (“PM can save project,” The Sudbury Star, Tuesday, March 8).

The Ring of Fire presents a historic opportunity to drive positive economic outcomes for the region, the province and Canada as a whole. Its smart, responsible and sustainable development must include strong commitments to improve the living conditions of people and infrastructure surrounding the Ring of Fire.

Realizing the full potential of the region will require collaboration from several partners, including the provincial and federal governments. However, our government has already driven much progress in laying the groundwork to drive development in the region.

The provincial government has committed to making strategic investments to support the development of this major asset. In our recent 2016 budget, we reaffirmed our $1-billion commitment to build strategic transportation infrastructure.

We’re working closely with our First Nation partners to ensure they are actively involved and benefitting from development in this region. We’ve reached a historic Regional Framework Agreement with the Matawa-member First Nations and this past spring we announced a joint investment with the federal government of more than $785,000 to enable Webequie, Eabametoong, Neskantaga and Nibinamik First Nations to work together and complete a community service corridor study.

The Ring of Fire’s development has attracted a great deal of interest and understandably so. We want to maximize the benefit of this unique and precious mineral asset and do so in a smart and sustainable manner.

Mr. Sudol has one thing correct, with the election of Prime Minister Trudeau and a new federal government, the prospect of Ontario having a willing and supportive partner in this project of national significance has increased. We are encouraged by their commitment to infrastructure and look forward to working with them on developing the Ring of Fire.

For the original source of this letter, click here: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2016/03/14/sudbury-letter-ring-of-fire-progresss—minister