QUEEN’S PARK – Today in question period, NDP Northern Development and Mines Critic Michael Mantha called on the Wynne government to address the lack of progress on development of the Ring of Fire.
“Last year, the Premier went up to Sudbury to announce that the government had reached a deal with Cliffs, and that it would create hundreds of mining jobs from the Ring of Fire,” said Mantha. “Only a year later and it has become clear that not only did this government not have a real deal with Cliffs, but the company is about to pull out of Ontario because of the mess this government has made of the Ring of Fire development plans.”
Mantha said the people of Ontario have been misled by the promise of jobs that have failed to materialize.
“The Ring of Fire is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of Ontario, but it requires transportation, electricity prices, environmental guidelines and consultation leadership by this government,” explained Mantha.
According to Mantha, the Liberal government’s mishandling of the Ring of Fire is sending a bad message to other companies, who may be scared away from investment in Ontario.
“When will this government develop a real plan for the Ring of Fire and implement it?” asked Mantha. “When will we see a real plan for Ring of Fire development that benefits Northern communities, First Nations and all Ontarians?”
