Consultants profit off Ring of Fire, mining industry and First Nations left out in the cold: NDP

ELLIOT LAKE – The announcement that outside consultants have been brought in to guide the Ring of Fire Development Corporation is a stark reminder of the Liberal government’s inability to spur development in the mining sector, says NDP Northern Development and Mines Critic Michael Mantha.

“The Liberal government continues to govern by press release; all talk no action,” said Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. “This latest announcement by Mining Minister Michael Gravelle further proves that this government is determined to create jobs anywhere but in the actual mining sector. We now see consultant companies profit while the mining companies are left on the sidelines and First Nations suffer.” In November, the Liberal government announced the creation of a Ring of Fire Development Corporation. Today, Minister Gravelle announced that consulting firm Deloitte LLP would be brought in to guide the establishment of the corporation. “It’s clear the Liberals have moved nowhere on this file since last year, and have now retained an outside consultant firm to advise them on what should have been done years ago,” said Mantha. “Once again we see the government announcing a plan to make a plan to make a plan. Industry, as we have seen, are packing up and leaving, taking their investment dollars and good jobs elsewhere.” Despite repeatedly touting the national significance of the Ring of Fire, the government has failed to produce any real development. While Premier Wynne met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper about the Ring of Fire, she was unable to secure any funding for the development in the new federal budget.   Industry and area First Nations alike are continuing to grow frustrated by the lack of leadership and action by the Liberal government.  Mining companies have spent millions of dollars in exploration, but progress has been stalled by the government’s lack of action.   “Liberals have continued to put Northern Ontario on the back burner. Industry is suffering, transportation services have been lost, and Northerners are feeling ignored,” explained Mantha. “Despite their claims, this Liberal government continues to neglect the needs and priorities of Northerners, First Nations and industry.”