Time for real action on the Ring of Fire

Northern Ontarians understand the importance of Canada’s mining and mineral processing sector. It employs 380,000 people in Canada and it has contributed more than $70 billion in taxes and royalties to federal and provincial governments over the last decade alone.

We also understand the urgency of starting on the Ring of Fire project now.

Northerners want to see real collaboration between Ottawa, Ontario and First Nations. It’s time governments focus on working together for the good of northerners.

Instead of action, we’re seeing a lack of federal leadership that has led to Cliffs Natural Resources pulling out of the project, and Tony Clement, the Treasury Board president who was brought in to handle the project, saying that northerners shouldn’t count on any movement on the project any time soon. It’s time to stop pointing fingers, and start making progress.

The fact is Greater Sudbury and Nickel Belt will see great benefits from the Ring of Fire project. There is the region’s “mining superstore” lauded in Chamber of Commerce reports. We continue to be a key mining hub for all of Canada. Our mining know-how, training, innovation and research are all there to serve a project as big as Ring of Fire.

In our communities, we know that the Ring of Fire has the potential to bring thousands of jobs, economic development throughout northern communities, and new infrastructure. We have the opportunity to connect remote communities to the province’s transportation and utility networks to reduce the cost of living and provide new opportunities for our youth.

We’re talking about hope, opportunity and sustainable prosperity for generations of Northern Ontarians.

For years now, the NDP has been calling on the federal government to work with First Nations, the Province of Ontario, Northern Ontario communities and the mining companies to develop a comprehensive plan for making the Ring of Fire a reality. This has long been our commitment to Northern Ontario.

There’s no doubt the government needs to evaluate infrastructure options for First Nations communities – something Liberals and Conservatives have been doing for over a decade, with nothing to show for it. The Conservative Government’s glacial pace at making any real infrastructure commitments is disappointing Northern Ontarians.

We’ve seen empty promises, and we saw the Prime Minister’s refusal to commit funding. Companies that want to invest have pointed out that there is no plan, no infrastructure, no leadership on Aboriginal issues, and no co-ordination between Ottawa and the Ontario Government. At this point, we need collaboration with First Nations and all levels of government and we need shovels in the ground.

New Democrats have been saying for years that First Nations need to be front and centre in any infrastructure plan for the Ring of Fire. The case I’ve been making in Ottawa is that, in the 21st century, mining projects like the Ring of Fire simply won’t move forward without meaningful consultations with First Nations and a real commitment to sustainable development.

Tom Mulcair has committed that a New Democratic Government will build a true nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. We’ll ensure—right at the cabinet level—that everything we do respects treaty rights, inherent rights and our international obligations. This will make sure that important projects like the Ring of Fire have an easier time getting the social licence they require and bring true benefits to mining communities.

I am honoured to be the NDP’s mining critic and I am proud that the NDP is the only federal party with a mining caucus. I will keep defending the sustainable development of the Ring of Fire in committees, in Question Period, and in our communities. The best way to make Ring of Fire a reality is to elect an NDP Government in 2015 that understands the importance of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Claude Gravelle is Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt.