Latest news with #Aroland
Hamilton Spectator
19 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Two First Nations working on roads to Ring of Fire do not support new mining law
TORONTO - Two First Nations in and around the Ring of Fire that signed deals with the provincial government are speaking out against a new Ontario law. Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon says his community objects to the law known as Bill 5, which seeks to speed up development, particularly mining projects. The legislation passed last week allows Ontario to suspend provincial and municipal laws by creating so-called special economic zones for certain projects it chooses. Ontario intends to name the mineral-rich Ring of Fire as the first such zone, but the law has created a firestorm of anger among many First Nations. Aroland signed a shared-prosperity agreement with the province in January for major upgrades to roads that lead to the Ring of Fire, but Gagnon says they have never given consent to mine the region. Marten Falls First Nation also has an agreement with the province as it leads the development of another proposed road to the area, and its chief says he cannot support the law as it is written — though he hopes Ontario can correct course with consultation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Two First Nations working on roads to Ring of Fire do not support new mining law
TORONTO — Two First Nations in and around the Ring of Fire that signed deals with the provincial government are speaking out against a new Ontario law. Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon says his community objects to the law known as Bill 5, which seeks to speed up development, particularly mining projects. The legislation passed last week allows Ontario to suspend provincial and municipal laws by creating so-called special economic zones for certain projects it chooses. Ontario intends to name the mineral-rich Ring of Fire as the first such zone, but the law has created a firestorm of anger among many First Nations. Aroland signed a shared-prosperity agreement with the province in January for major upgrades to roads that lead to the Ring of Fire, but Gagnon says they have never given consent to mine the region. Marten Falls First Nation also has an agreement with the province as it leads the development of another proposed road to the area, and its chief says he cannot support the law as it is written — though he hopes Ontario can correct course with consultation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. Liam Casey, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford vows to use Bill 5 to open the Ring of Fire ‘as quickly as possible'
Premier Doug Ford says he will designate the Ring of Fire — which holds critical mineral deposits in northwestern Ontario — a special economic zone 'as quickly as possible' in order to open mines now that Bill 5 has passed. 'We need to start moving on that. We have a lot of excitement and a great partnership with Chief Sonny,' Ford said Thursday, referring to a January agreement signed with Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon to upgrade the roads and energy transmission lines needed to create a mining hub. 'They're going to see a road they never had. They're going to get off the diesel that they've been living on and get electricity.' The legislation, which fast-tracks mining and infrastructure projects by exempting them from local and provincial rules, has been slammed by opposition parties and others for weakening environmental, endangered species and labour protections, and ignoring aboriginal treaty rights. That means 'unchecked powers' for Ford's Progressive Conservatives under the Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act, said Tony Morris of the lobby group Ontario Nature. 'The government may have rammed this legislation through, but we have seen incredible opposition from Indigenous peoples, environmental groups, farmers, labour organizations and people from across the province.' Touting the bill in the face of warnings from some First Nations that they will blockade highways and block projects 'on the ground' in protest over a lack of prior consultation on the bill, Ford would not specify which laws his government would exempt companies from in special economic zones. 'Let's see what companies come to the table and, depending on how quickly we can get opportunities and jobs, we'll reveal them,' the premier told reporters. 'When we feel that we need to speed things up, we'll speed things up.' Opposition parties have warned the legislation will be challenged in the courts and face protests that will slow development down, not speed it up as Ford hopes to do to counter the economic slowdown expected to result from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'Don't raise the boiling point,' Green Leader Mike Schreiner said. 'We all want to see more economic development in this province, and it's not going to happen as fast as we would like if the premier divides us.' He noted special economic zones can be designated anywhere in the province under the legislation, raising concerns that prime farmland, for example, could be taken out of service. 'We are approaching what I'm afraid may be a summer of chaos,' said New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles. 'You cannot trust this government to give themselves unlimited powers.' The pushback the government is experiencing is 'a symbol of how flawed this legislation is,' Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie added. Appearing with Ford, Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Indigenous communities have been offered $3 billion to help develop projects to improve their fortunes and develop their resources. The Trump tariffs have led to an 'abrupt halt' in capital investments by companies around the world and Ontario wants to be ready when the fog clears and billions of dollars are 'unleashed' in countries with good opportunities, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said.
