Don't blame province for Cliffs decision: Gravelle

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle is rejecting the idea the province is primarily to blame for problems holding up the Ring of Fire chromite find in northwestern Ontario.

Last week, Cliffs Natural Resources announced it was suspending work indefinitely on the project, which has metal reserves worth an estimated $60 billion. That includes work on a $1.8 billion chromite refinery near Capreol the company announced in May 2012.

A recent ruling from the Ontario mining commissioner denying the company access to land to build a road out of the remote site was just the latest setback for the project, which has been beset by delays and problems. Low commodity prices for chromite are another stumbling block, as are a lack of agreements with First Nations in the area.

Late last week, Kenora MP Greg Rickford, minister of state for FedNor whose portfolio includes the Ring of Fire, was quoted in multiple media reports pointing the finger of blame at the province.

He said Cliffs was “very satisfied” with support at the federal level, but since natural resources are a provincial matter, it was up to the province to do a better job of working with stakeholders to reach agreements necessary to get the project back on track.

In Sudbury, Mayor Marianne Matichuk said the city has done everything it can to support the project, and said it was up to other levels of government to do the same.
Gravelle fired back at Rickford on Sunday, saying he was “disappointed” with his comments. In a three-page news release, Gravelle said he has been trying to get support from the feds to develop the infrastructure necessary to get the chromite out of the Ring of Fire and to the market.

“We have repeatedly requested your engagement and commitment to work with us on developing and funding vital infrastructure into the Ring of Fire,” Gravelle wrote, in an open letter to Rickford. “The province is prepared to make a substantial investment in this critical piece of infrastructure, subject to environmental and regulatory approvals and the Crown meeting its duty to consult, and is expecting the federal government to come to the table with matching funds.

“In fact, as recently as Nov. 7, in Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, we renewed our call on the federal government to step up to the plate. That call went unanswered.”
Gravelle said he's disappointed Rickford and Prime Minister Stephen Harper seem to be trying to characterize the chromite find as a “provincial issue.” Rather than trying to place blame, he said the federal government should work with the province.

“Development of this scale is not about jurisdictional boundaries or placing blame — the Ring of Fire development is about much more and that is why we continue to urge your government to be a committed partner for investment and collaboration in the development corporation,” Gravelle wrote. “You’ve stated repeatedly that you know the significance of this project but we have yet to see that turn into action.”

Gravelle concludes his letter by asking for a meeting with Rickford to get details on what sort of support the feds could offer.

“I would appreciate the opportunity to sit down with you as soon as possible to more formally discuss the important role of the federal government in this vital economic development project.”

@darrenmacd