THUNDER BAY — Two First Nations that are taking the lead in the provincial environmental assessment for a 120-kilometre multi-use road to the Ring of Fire mineral zone will livestream a pair of information sessions about the project this week.
The Northern Road Link would connect two other yet-to-be-approved roads in the Ring of Fire, 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
One would terminate at Webequie First Nation while the other would end near Marten Falls First Nation
At the northern end, the Webequie Supply Road would run 107 kilometres eastward to the McFaulds Lake area where Noront Resources hopes to develop a nickel mine.
At the southern end, a 200-kilometre road would connect Marten Falls First Nation to the provincial road network at Aroland.
On Wed. Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. a live presentation and question & answer session will give interested parties a chance to learn about the Northern Road Link, the current EA study and elements of the draft terms of reference for the EA.
This session is for the Indigenous community.
On Thur. Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. a public open house will be conducted.
Access to the two events will be available at northernroadlink.ca/stream.
A virtual reality Open House portal that's accessible now offers display material and details about the EA, and includes an option for stakeholders to provide comments to the study team.
The Ontario government announced a partnership with Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations in 2020 to develop the Northern Road Link.
The province said it was delivering on its promise to work "with willing partners" in the Ring of Fire.
Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias said this symbolized Premier Ford's "jump on a bulldozer" agenda, and warned any road proponent not to put a shovel in the ground without his First Nation's permission.
Last October, the provincial ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the terms of reference for Marten Falls to start the EA process for the Marten Falls Community Access Road, and the terms of reference for Webequie to begin the EA for the Webequie Supply Road.
Chief Bruce Achneepineskum of Marten Falls said this didn't guarantee the road would be built, but called the project "important for advancing the economic empowerment of Marten Falls" and "a path towards economic reconciliation."
Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse said this is the first EA in Ontario to be led and driven by a First Nation.
"We don't know if Webequie will decide to build a road," he said, but added that the process will be community-directed and will be concluded only after environmental studies and impact assessments are complete.
