Latest news with #MiningAct
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Doug Ford's Bill 5 is now law in Ontario. Here's what happens next
Now that Ontario's controversial Bill 5 is law, all eyes are on what Premier Doug Ford does with the new powers it gives his government. Bill 5, also called the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, empowers the government (among other things) to create special economic zones, where cabinet can exempt companies or projects from having to comply with any provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw. Ford pitches Bill 5 as a way of shoring up Ontario's economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs by speeding up major infrastructure and resource projects. Ford's officials insist the government won't exempt any company in a special economic zone from Ontario's minimum wage rules or other labour laws. But the wide-open way the legislation is written would allow cabinet to hand out exemptions from any law, whether labour, environmental or operational. Asked this week which laws he's considering overriding with Bill 5 — and whether any laws are off the table for such exemptions — Ford offered no specifics. WATCH | Your quick guide to Bill 5: "I just want to speed up the process," he said during a news conference on Thursday, moments after Bill 5 received Royal Assent, making it law. Ford then talked of how long it takes for a mine to get into production, an issue that is actually tackled in a different part of Bill 5: revisions to the Mining Act designed to shorten Ontario's approval process to two years from the current four years. Pressed again on which laws he would exempt companies from in the special economic zones, Ford said every situation is different. Ford wants to move 'as quickly as possible' "Let's see what companies come to the table, and depending on how quickly we can get opportunities and jobs, we'll reveal them," Ford said. Ford wants Ontario's first special economic zone to be the Ring of Fire mineral deposit, some 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, in the heart of Treaty 9 territory. The area is said to be full of so-called critical minerals, such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, in high demand for the tech industry. The premier said on Thursday that he wants to make the Ring of Fire a special economic zone "as quickly as possible" but has also said he won't do so without consulting with First Nations Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says the province is already "consulting meaningfully" with First Nations and will continue to do so over the coming months. "We're all going to be part of this endeavour to really listen to those voices and help build a common vision for responsible resource development that unlocks the bounty of the resource, to change the lives of northerners and to ensure Indigenous share in that bounty," Lecce said alongside Ford at Thursday's news conference inside Queen's Park. The skepticism from many First Nations leaders is palpable. The Chiefs of Ontario invited Ford to attend their annual assembly June 17 to 19 and sent Ford a message that his attendance would mark the start of consultations on Bill 5. "This legislation, introduced without prior consultation with First Nations rights holders, raises serious concerns due to its far-reaching implications on inherent Treaty rights and community obligations to the land, waters, and wildlife," says the invitation letter from Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. The Chiefs of Ontario, the umbrella group representing more than 130 First Nations across the province, are warning of "resistance, on the ground, and in the courts" against Bill 5. WATCH | What the 'duty to consult' First Nations means for governments: One thing to watch for in the months to come is whether the provincial government's push to fast-track the Ring of Fire is replicated by the federal government. Ford put the Ring of Fire at the top of his list presented to Prime Minister Mark Carney for consideration as a potential nation-building project. Ford calls Carney 'Santa Claus' Carney asked all the premiers to come to last Monday's First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon with their ideas of projects that would be "in the national interest," either by helping to diversify the Canadian economy or to reach new export markets. It's now up to Carney to decide which projects merit federal backing, whether through fast-track approvals or funding. Ford described Carney as Santa Claus for this approach. But to make the metaphor accurate, it means Ford and his fellow premiers have merely written their letters to Santa Claus, and they now have to wait until Christmas comes to find out whether Santa brings them what they asked for. The other items on Ford's list are also projects that could be designated special economic zones: new nuclear power plants, a new deep-sea port on James Bay, Ford's vision of a tunnel under Highway 401 through Toronto, and an expansion of the GO Transit network. If Carney endorses any of these, you can expect the Ford government will use its Bill 5 powers to speed up the process of moving that project from endorsement to reality. On Friday, Carney's Liberals tabled a bill in the House of Commons called the One Canadian Economy Act, designed in part to speed up the approval process of major infrastructure projects, a goal similar to Ontario's Bill 5. One line in the text of Bill 5 says its purpose is making Ontario "the best place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business." Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, whose chief role is attracting companies to the province, says investors around the world are hoarding capital in hopes of some economic certainty. Will Bill 5 attract investment? "That capital that's building up needs to unleash, and we want them to know that when they come to Ontario, it can be unleashed very quickly here," Fedeli said at the news conference alongside Ford and Lecce. Having Bill 5 powers on the books means Ontario could try to entice investors to set up shop in a special economic zone, but officials won't say whether that incentive is now being dangled at any particular companies. More questions remain on how exactly the government will use other powers it obtained through Bill 5, such as the power to ignore the independent scientific committee that determines whether a species is endangered or threatened in Ontario. You can expect a backlash from conservation groups whenever the government uses that power, for instance by scrapping measures that would protect the habitat of a species at risk. What's unknown is when, where and with what species the government will take such a step. Another 'watch this space' related to Bill 5: what happens with the expansion of a landfill on the edge of the southwestern Ontario town of Dresden, which the legislation exempts from having to go through a comprehensive environmental assessment. Local residents say they're not giving up their efforts to halt the project, while the company behind is welcoming the opportunity of "moving forward with our plan."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Doug Ford's Bill 5 is now law in Ontario. Here's what happens next
Now that Ontario's controversial Bill 5 is law, all eyes are on what Premier Doug Ford does with the new powers it gives his government. Bill 5, also called the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, empowers the government (among other things) to create special economic zones, where cabinet can exempt companies or projects from having to comply with any provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw. Ford pitches Bill 5 as a way of shoring up Ontario's economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs by speeding up major infrastructure and resource projects. Ford's officials insist the government won't exempt any company in a special economic zone from Ontario's minimum wage rules or other labour laws. But the wide-open way the legislation is written would allow cabinet to hand out exemptions from any law, whether labour, environmental or operational. Asked this week which laws he's considering overriding with Bill 5 — and whether any laws are off the table for such exemptions — Ford offered no specifics. WATCH | Your quick guide to Bill 5: "I just want to speed up the process," he said during a news conference on Thursday, moments after Bill 5 received Royal Assent, making it law. Ford then talked of how long it takes for a mine to get into production, an issue that is actually tackled in a different part of Bill 5: revisions to the Mining Act designed to shorten Ontario's approval process to two years from the current four years. Pressed again on which laws he would exempt companies from in the special economic zones, Ford said every situation is different. Ford wants to move 'as quickly as possible' "Let's see what companies come to the table, and depending on how quickly we can get opportunities and jobs, we'll reveal them," Ford said. Ford wants Ontario's first special economic zone to be the Ring of Fire mineral deposit, some 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, in the heart of Treaty 9 territory. The area is said to be full of so-called critical minerals, such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, in high demand for the tech industry. The premier said on Thursday that he wants to make the Ring of Fire a special economic zone "as quickly as possible" but has also said he won't do so without consulting with First Nations Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says the province is already "consulting meaningfully" with First Nations and will continue to do so over the coming months. "We're all going to be part of this endeavour to really listen to those voices and help build a common vision for responsible resource development that unlocks the bounty of the resource, to change the lives of northerners and to ensure Indigenous share in that bounty," Lecce said alongside Ford at Thursday's news conference inside Queen's Park. The skepticism from many First Nations leaders is palpable. The Chiefs of Ontario invited Ford to attend their annual assembly June 17 to 19 and sent Ford a message that his attendance would mark the start of consultations on Bill 5. "This legislation, introduced without prior consultation with First Nations rights holders, raises serious concerns due to its far-reaching implications on inherent Treaty rights and community obligations to the land, waters, and wildlife," says the invitation letter from Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. The Chiefs of Ontario, the umbrella group representing more than 130 First Nations across the province, are warning of "resistance, on the ground, and in the courts" against Bill 5. WATCH | What the 'duty to consult' First Nations means for governments: One thing to watch for in the months to come is whether the provincial government's push to fast-track the Ring of Fire is replicated by the federal government. Ford put the Ring of Fire at the top of his list presented to Prime Minister Mark Carney for consideration as a potential nation-building project. Ford calls Carney 'Santa Claus' Carney asked all the premiers to come to last Monday's First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon with their ideas of projects that would be "in the national interest," either by helping to diversify the Canadian economy or to reach new export markets. It's now up to Carney to decide which projects merit federal backing, whether through fast-track approvals or funding. Ford described Carney as Santa Claus for this approach. But to make the metaphor accurate, it means Ford and his fellow premiers have merely written their letters to Santa Claus, and they now have to wait until Christmas comes to find out whether Santa brings them what they asked for. The other items on Ford's list are also projects that could be designated special economic zones: new nuclear power plants, a new deep-sea port on James Bay, Ford's vision of a tunnel under Highway 401 through Toronto, and an expansion of the GO Transit network. If Carney endorses any of these, you can expect the Ford government will use its Bill 5 powers to speed up the process of moving that project from endorsement to reality. On Friday, Carney's Liberals tabled a bill in the House of Commons called the One Canadian Economy Act, designed in part to speed up the approval process of major infrastructure projects, a goal similar to Ontario's Bill 5. One line in the text of Bill 5 says its purpose is making Ontario "the best place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business." Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, whose chief role is attracting companies to the province, says investors around the world are hoarding capital in hopes of some economic certainty. Will Bill 5 attract investment? "That capital that's building up needs to unleash, and we want them to know that when they come to Ontario, it can be unleashed very quickly here," Fedeli said at the news conference alongside Ford and Lecce. Having Bill 5 powers on the books means Ontario could try to entice investors to set up shop in a special economic zone, but officials won't say whether that incentive is now being dangled at any particular companies. More questions remain on how exactly the government will use other powers it obtained through Bill 5, such as the power to ignore the independent scientific committee that determines whether a species is endangered or threatened in Ontario. You can expect a backlash from conservation groups whenever the government uses that power, for instance by scrapping measures that would protect the habitat of a species at risk. What's unknown is when, where and with what species the government will take such a step. Another 'watch this space' related to Bill 5: what happens with the expansion of a landfill on the edge of the southwestern Ontario town of Dresden, which the legislation exempts from having to go through a comprehensive environmental assessment. Local residents say they're not giving up their efforts to halt the project, while the company behind is welcoming the opportunity of "moving forward with our plan."
Global News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Mining claims in Ring of Fire up 66 per cent over past 3 years: environmental group
Mining claims in the Ring of Fire region are up 66 per cent over the last three years and now total an area 14 times the size of Toronto, an environmental group said Wednesday after compiling the data. There are now more than 43,000 claims in the region that is some 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., said Anna Baggio, the conservation director of Wildlands League. 'The claims are exploding, so that's a problem,' said Baggio, who extracted the data from the Ontario Geological Survey site. 'The problem is that much like the rest of Canada, this is all happening under a free entry system where anyone can register a claim as long as they have a prospector's licence and do the Mining Act course.' Ontario has recently tabled legislation, known as Bill 5, that would create so-called special economic zones where any project can be exempt from laws and regulations. Story continues below advertisement Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire region would be the first such zone and the resources buried there would be crucial to dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs that triggered a trade war with Canada. The omnibus bill also proposes to gut protections for endangered plants and animals so that development, particularly mining projects, can be done significantly faster. The bill has sparked anger and criticism from First Nations, environmental groups and civil liberty organizations while garnering support from the mining industry. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the province is working to support two main companies that hold the vast majority of claims in the area by providing infrastructure and the regulatory environment to build mines faster. 'It is a massive bounty of resources of rare earths that the world needs,' Lecce said. Ring of Fire Metals, owned by Australian mining giant Wyloo, and Juno Corp, a Canadian company formed in 2019, own the vast majority of claims in the area that is said to be replete with critical minerals. 1:13 'Global investors are watching,' Premier Ford on resource development in Ontario's Ring of Fire The mining claims are not just stakes filed online, Baggio said. Wildlands League has documented land clearing and other activity after flying over the Ring of Fire several times in recent years. Story continues below advertisement 'These activities are quite damaging,' she said. 'They're clearing land, they're dragging machinery through the bush, they are cutting these trails, they laying down the wires to try and figure out what's going on beneath the ground, it's actually quite a destructive footprint today and we're not even at mine development.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Ring of Fire sits in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and is home to nine First Nations. Two First Nations are currently leading an environmental assessment on several roads that would ultimately connect the proposed Eagle's Nest mine and those First Nations to the provincial highway system. The province has inked deals with Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation that commit Ontario to help build infrastructure projects in and around the communities. The province has also signed a shared-prosperity agreement with Aroland First Nation to rebuild two roads that would connect to the proposed roads to the Ring of Fire. But several other First Nations in the area – and beyond – take issue with developing the land without their consent and would like the province to help solve long-standing water, housing and mental-health crises that plague many remote First Nations before it thinks about mining the land. The province is looking to help several remote fly-in First Nations that do not have electricity – they operate on diesel – get on the grid as part of building the 'corridor to prosperity,' said Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. Story continues below advertisement 'It's important to point out that we're talking about half a dozen First Nations communities that are still on diesel power for their electricity sources,' he said. 'You don't want that, I don't want that, and they don't want that.' Rickford pointed to the government's announcement Wednesday that will triple the province's amount of loan guarantees through a provincial Indigenous financing program, to the tune of $3 billion, as proof of Ontario's commitment to economic reconciliation with First Nations. Mining, energy and pipeline projects would all be eligible for the fund, he said. 'Other resource projects across the province are characterized by Indigenous ownership, not impact benefit agreements,' he said. 'These are actual partnership agreements.' He said he wants to see more of that going forward, especially in the Ring of Fire. 'It represents an extraordinary opportunity to have First Nations-led resource activities in forestry and in mining,' he said. But he also doesn't envision thousands of mines opening up in the region. 'The market's saying, 'Well, we'd like to see road access so that one or two of these mines could actually start extraction sooner rather than later,'' he said. Story continues below advertisement The province will also pony up $10 million over three years to create new scholarships for First Nation post-secondary students who are pursing careers in resource development. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat provincial representative of Kiiwetinoong, where the Ring of Fire is located, said the government has already failed on its duty to consult. 'These special economic zones are pretty much cheat codes for the government to take control of the land, or what they call 'for strategic purposes,'' Mamakwa said. 'The government is using the current tariff situation to promote development on our treaty lands with no consultation and without First Nations sharing in any of the potential benefits.'
Toronto Sun
22-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Mining claims in Ring of Fire up 66% in last 3 years: Environmental group
Published May 21, 2025 • 4 minute read A map of the Ring of Fire. Photo by Juno Corp. / Postmedia Network files Mining claims in the Ring of Fire region are up 66% over the last three years and now total an area 14 times the size of Toronto, an environmental group said Wednesday after compiling the data. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There are now more than 43,000 claims in the region that is some 450 km north of Thunder Bay, said Anna Baggio, the conservation director of Wildlands League. 'The claims are exploding, so that's a problem,' said Baggio, who extracted the data from the Ontario Geological Survey site. 'The problem is that much like the rest of Canada, this is all happening under a free-entry system where anyone can register a claim as long as they have a prospector's licence and do the Mining Act course.' Ontario has recently tabled legislation, known as Bill 5, that would create so-called special economic zones where any project can be exempt from laws and regulations. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire region would be the first such zone and the resources buried there would be crucial to dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs that triggered a trade war with Canada. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The omnibus bill also proposes to gut protections for endangered plants and animals so that development, particularly mining projects, can be done significantly faster. The bill has sparked anger and criticism from First Nations, environmental groups and civil liberty organizations while garnering support from the mining industry. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the province is working to support two main companies that hold the vast majority of claims in the area by providing infrastructure and the regulatory environment to build mines faster. 'It is a massive bounty of resources of rare earths that the world needs,' Lecce said. Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ring of Fire Metals, owned by Australian mining giant Wyloo, and Juno Corp, a Canadian company formed in 2019, own the vast majority of claims in the area that is said to be replete with critical minerals. The mining claims are not just stakes filed online, Baggio said. Wildlands League has documented land clearing and other activity after flying over the Ring of Fire several times in recent years. 'These activities are quite damaging,' she said. 'They're clearing land, they're dragging machinery through the bush, they are cutting these trails, they laying down the wires to try and figure out what's going on beneath the ground, it's actually quite a destructive footprint today and we're not even at mine development.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Ring of Fire sits in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and is home to nine First Nations. Two First Nations are leading an environmental assessment of several roads that would ultimately connect the proposed Eagle's Nest mine and those First Nations to the provincial highway system. The province has inked deals with Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation that commit Ontario to help build infrastructure projects in and around the communities. The province has also signed a shared-prosperity agreement with Aroland First Nation to rebuild two roads that would connect to the proposed roads to the Ring of Fire. But several other First Nations in the area — and beyond — take issue with developing the land without their consent and would like the province to help solve long-standing water, housing and mental-health crises that plague many remote First Nations before it thinks about mining the land. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The province is looking to help several remote fly-in First Nations that do not have electricity — they operate on diesel — get on the grid as part of building the 'corridor to prosperity,' said Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. 'It's important to point out that we're talking about half a dozen First Nations communities that are still on diesel power for their electricity sources,' he said. 'You don't want that, I don't want that, and they don't want that.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Rickford pointed to the government's announcement Wednesday that will triple the province's amount of loan guarantees through a provincial Indigenous financing program, to the tune of $3 billion, as proof of Ontario's commitment to economic reconciliation with First Nations. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mining, energy and pipeline projects would all be eligible for the fund, he said. 'Other resource projects across the province are characterized by Indigenous ownership, not impact benefit agreements,' he said. 'These are actual partnership agreements.' He said he wants to see more of that going forward, especially in the Ring of Fire. 'It represents an extraordinary opportunity to have First Nations-led resource activities in forestry and in mining,' he said. But he also doesn't envision thousands of mines opening up in the region. 'The market's saying, 'Well, we'd like to see road access so that one or two of these mines could actually start extraction sooner rather than later,'' he said. The province will also pony up $10 million over three years to create new scholarships for First Nation post-secondary students who are pursing careers in resource development. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat provincial representative of Kiiwetinoong, where the Ring of Fire is located, said the government has already failed on its duty to consult. 'These special economic zones are pretty much cheat codes for the government to take control of the land, or what they call 'for strategic purposes,'' Mamakwa said. 'The government is using the current tariff situation to promote development on our treaty lands with no consultation and without First Nations sharing in any of the potential benefits.' Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Canada
National Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Mining claims in Ring of Fire up 66 per cent over past 3 years: environmental group
Mining claims in the Ring of Fire region are up 66 per cent over the last three years and now total an area 14 times the size of Toronto, an environmental group said Wednesday after compiling the data. There are now more than 43,000 claims in the region that is some 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., said Anna Baggio, the conservation director of Wildlands League. "The claims are exploding, so that's a problem," said Baggio, who extracted the data from the Ontario Geological Survey site. "The problem is that much like the rest of Canada, this is all happening under a free entry system where anyone can register a claim as long as they have a prospector's licence and do the Mining Act course." Ontario has recently tabled legislation, known as Bill 5, that would create so-called special economic zones where any project can be exempt from laws and regulations. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire region would be the first such zone and the resources buried there would be crucial to dealing with US President Donald Trump's tariffs that triggered a trade war with Canada. The omnibus bill also proposes to gut protections for endangered plants and animals so that development, particularly mining projects, can be done significantly faster. Ontario has recently tabled legislation, known as Bill 5, that would create so-called special economic zones where any project can be exempt from laws and regulations. The bill has sparked anger and criticism from First Nations, environmental groups and civil liberty organizations while garnering support from the mining industry. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the province is working to support two main companies that hold the vast majority of claims in the area by providing infrastructure and the regulatory environment to build mines faster. "It is a massive bounty of resources of rare earths that the world needs," Lecce said. Ring of Fire Metals, owned by Australian mining giant Wyloo, and Juno Corp, a Canadian company formed in 2019, own the vast majority of claims in the area that is said to be replete with critical minerals. The mining claims are not just stakes filed online, Baggio said. Wildlands League has documented land clearing and other activity after flying over the Ring of Fire several times in recent years. "These activities are quite damaging," she said. "They're clearing land, they're dragging machinery through the bush, they are cutting these trails, they laying down the wires to try and figure out what's going on beneath the ground, it's actually quite a destructive footprint today and we're not even at mine development." The Ring of Fire sits in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and is home to nine First Nations. Two First Nations are currently leading an environmental assessment on several roads that would ultimately connect the proposed Eagle's Nest mine and those First Nations to the provincial highway system. The province has inked deals with Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation that commit Ontario to help build infrastructure projects in and around the communities. The province has also signed a shared-prosperity agreement with Aroland First Nation to rebuild two roads that would connect to the proposed roads to the Ring of Fire. But several other First Nations in the area – and beyond – take issue with developing the land without their consent and would like the province to help solve long-standing water, housing and mental-health crises that plague many remote First Nations before it thinks about mining the land. The province is looking to help several remote fly-in First Nations that do not have electricity – they operate on diesel – get on the grid as part of building the "corridor to prosperity," said Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. "It's important to point out that we're talking about half a dozen First Nations communities that are still on diesel power for their electricity sources," he said. "You don't want that, I don't want that, and they don't want that." Rickford pointed to the government's announcement Wednesday that will triple the province's amount of loan guarantees through a provincial Indigenous financing program, to the tune of $3 billion, as proof of Ontario's commitment to economic reconciliation with First Nations. Mining, energy and pipeline projects would all be eligible for the fund, he said. "Other resource projects across the province are characterized by Indigenous ownership, not impact benefit agreements," he said. "These are actual partnership agreements." He said he wants to see more of that going forward, especially in the Ring of Fire. "It represents an extraordinary opportunity to have First Nations-led resource activities in forestry and in mining," he said. But he also doesn't envision thousands of mines opening up in the region. "The market's saying, 'Well, we'd like to see road access so that one or two of these mines could actually start extraction sooner rather than later,'" he said. The province will also pony up $10 million over three years to create new scholarships for First Nation post-secondary students who are pursing careers in resource development. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat provincial representative of Kiiwetinoong, where the Ring of Fire is located, said the government has already failed on its duty to consult. "These special economic zones are pretty much cheat codes for the government to take control of the land, or what they call 'for strategic purposes,'" Mamakwa said. "The government is using the current tariff situation to promote development on our treaty lands with no consultation and without First Nations sharing in any of the potential benefits."
