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Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire map with proposed roads

Construction expected this summer on Ring of Fire roads

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The Ontario government is accelerating construction of roads to the Ring of Fire.

Construction on two segments will begin this summer, with others ready two to five years ahead of schedule.

Completed environmental assessments have been done for the Webequie Service Road (WSR) and the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), putting them on track to start construction this summer.

Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says it creates the opportunity for mining companies to move more quickly on their projects.

“No longer is this a pipe dream. This is literally the infrastructure, the vision that’s coming to life as we speak,” says Lecce.

“I will not speak for the companies and the investors in the region, but we’ve now made it much easier to get to yes, to deliver a permit and to start to see extraction. We would only do so in partnership with the First Nations.”

Premier Doug Ford says he would be happier if the roads could be completed sooner.

“The quicker we do it, the more opportunities that come and more economic development for our friends in the First Nations and everyone else in the province,” says Ford.

The province also signed Joint Statements of Economic Partnership with Marten Falls, and that includes $2.5 million to support local economic activities and a commitment for training and other supports to benefit from the Ring of Fire region.

Community Partnership Agreements were signed last year.

Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says it will open up new opportunities for his community.

“It means a future for our youth,” says Achneepineskum.

“We need to give our youth a chance to be equal partners, to move forward in this area where there’s development, training, opportunities available and future jobs.”

“We’ve all said we want to take the lead in those opportunities and we are, and this is just one area that we’re taking the lead on,” he adds.

Webequie First Nation Chief Lorraine Whitehead sees similar benefits for her community.

“For Webequie, this is about self-determination,” says Whitehead.

“It is about ensuring that our community members are fully participating and leading any work happening on our lands, whether it be business development, construction, environmental monitoring, or engineering. Webequie must be at the center of leading and benefiting from economic growth.”

There are two other road segments.

They include upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads, scheduled to be ready for use by November 2030.

The Northern Road Link is scheduled to start construction in spring 2028 and open by November 2031, five years ahead of schedule.

Webequie Supply Road map

Webequie Supply Road Environmental Assessment document submitted

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A key document for the construction of the Webeque Supply Road has been submitted for public review.

Comments on the final Environmental Assessment Report will be accepted until March 20th.

The 107 kilometre road is proposed to go from from Webeque to the mineral deposit area near McFaulds Lake and will include 6 bridges and 25 culverts to pass over 31 water bodies.

The road is seen as a key link to the nearby Ring of Fire mining area.

“The proposed Webequie Supply Road would foster the pathway to economic reconciliation and responsible resource development,” states Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, in a release.

“We are continuing to build on our Community Partnership Agreement with Webequie First Nation to unlock the Ring of Fire while advancing shared priorities and developing important infrastructure and community supports.”

Construction is expected to start this summer.

The report indicates it will take approximately 5 to 6 years to complete.

Transmission line - Powering Ontario's Growth

Ontario declares transmission line to Ring of Fire area as priority project

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A transmission line into the Ring of Fire mining area is getting increased attention from the provincial government.

The Greenstone Transmission Line has been declared a priority project.

The 230-kilometre line will run from Nipigon Bay to near Aroland First Nation, and eventually into the Ring of Fire.

The Ford government previously committed to building the line as part of the agreement signed with Aroland last year, which included $70 million to advance work.

It will be designed and constructed by Hydro One.

Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce says the project has been fully endorsed and approved by seven First Nations.

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, January 28, 2026. Government of Ontario/YouTube screen shot

“We made a commitment to them, and our Premier made this commitment personally to them to end diesel generation, the reliance on diesel power in these communities,” says Lecce.

“And today, in partnership with the Chiefs, we are delivering on this promise.”

Hydro One has been commissioned to design and construct the line, with a 50/50 partnership involving the seven First Nations.

Chief Yvette Metansinine of Animbiigoo Zaagi-igan Anishinaabek First Nation says it’s a critical infrastructure investment that will strengthen the electrical system in her community as it moves into the early stages of development of new homes.

“The new transmission line will also increase electrical capacity, allowing us to move forward with more housing, business, business development and community projects with confidence,” says Metansinine.

“When power is dependable, it opens the door to economic opportunity and sustainable development.”

Chief Gladys Thompson of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaaek First Nation adds that it is an exciting time for her community to partner in the project.

“Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for all our communities,” says Thompson.

“The future is looking brighter for our people, for the creation of more jobs, clean energy, and reliable power for years to come.”

Chief Allan Odawa Jr. of Red Rock Indian Band says his community has good power, but joining with the other First Nations will help create jobs and establish an ongoing revenue stream for other projects.

“Knowing that we get this money every year, that we can start building more homes and bringing my people back to my First Nation and where they belong,” says Odawa.

The provincial government says the project will create more than 7,000 jobs.

It is expected to come online in 2032.

Premier Doug Ford Jan 5 2026

Premier excited about Ring of Fire road starting this year

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Premier Doug Ford is looking forward to work starting on the roads to the Ring of Fire mining area.

He says construction is poised to begin later this year.

Ford credits agreements with Marten Falls, Webequie and Aroland First Nations for helping push the project three years ahead of schedule.

The province promised to provide up to $39.5 million to each community for local infrastructure and services and to advance the Marten Falls Community Access Road and the Webequie Supply Road.

“These roads will unlock Ontario’s new mining opportunities in a region with the largest critical mineral reserves in the entire world, adding about $22 billion to Ontario’s economy and creating over 72,000 new jobs,” says Ford.

Ford also credits the federal government for helping to expedite the project.

He says his meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney put an end to the duplication of provincial and federal environmental assessments so projects could get started sooner.

“We really focused on expediting permits as quickly as possible, not duplication,” says Ford.

“We’re doing one EA. They’re doing one EA. So that stopped. Now that’s why we’re able to get the road to the Ring of Fire with cooperation and collaboration with the First Nations.”

An assessment is currently underway by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada that has committed to completing its review of the roads no later than June 2026.

Ford Carney DEC 18

Ontario signs agreement with federal government to speed up Ring of Fire development

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Projects in Ontario will no longer require assessments from both the province and the federal government.

A new agreement is promising to eliminate duplicative processes in situations where a project might have, for example, required an environmental assessment at both the provincial and federal levels.

The agreement was announced by Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney in a joint press conference in Ottawa on Thursday.

Prime Minister Carney says the agreement will allow approvals to be more flexible and efficient, “while maintaining both federal and provincial standards.”

Premier Doug Ford is framing the agreement as the final piece of the province’s new “One Project, One Process” framework, adding “One Decision” as an addition to the new concept.

“It’s time for Canada to build big things again,” Ford says.

The premier also characterizes the new agreement as the last step in unlocking the Ring of Fire for development, having now made agreements with the Aroland, Webequie, and Marten Falls First Nations.

The Ring of Fire is a region to the northeast of Thunder Bay, rich in critical minerals that are needed in modern technologies such as computers and electric vehicles.

The Premier states that opening the Ring of Fire to development could grow the Ontario economy by $22 billion and create 70,000 jobs.

Critically, the Premier is promising that with this agreement in place, shovels could be in the ground in the Ring of Fire in June.

The premier’s agreement with Carney could also see developments sped up in other parts of the province for projects such as roads and bridges.

The news is being greeted positively by the Northern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA): “Reducing duplication between federal and provincial processes is a common-sense step that provides certainty, improves timelines, and helps move nation-building projects forward,” says NOMA president Rick Dumas. “The Ring of Fire represents a generational opportunity for Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada—and this agreement helps unlock that potential.”

Ring of Fire

Northwestern Ontario MPP questions government’s approach to Ring of Fire region

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The MPP for Kiiwetinoong says the Ford government is getting bad advice when it comes to the Ring of Fire.

Sol Mamakwa raised questions about the government’s interest in the Ontario Legislature this week.

His initial inquiry related to the cost of ads that promote the mining region.

When he failed to get an answer, he responded by saying the government’s approach does not trump First Nations rights.

“This government needs to understand. Your approach to Bill 5, your approach to Ring of Fire, and even these ads I talk about, do not trump the inherent rights of the First Nations that live on these homelands,” says Mamamkwa.

“This government’s approach will not work. Let me  be very clear on that.”

Mamakwa says the government should stop its Ring of Fire advertising campaign, calling it misleading.

Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce insists they are including First Nations in their decision-making.

He cited the legislation that aims to reduce the time it takes to get a mining project approved.

“We have made that a reality in partnership with First Nation communities because billions of dollars of investment,  the improvement of quality of life, 10,000 jobs are on the line unless we work together as legislators to get minerals on the ground,” says Lecce.

The province recently signed agreements with three First Nations in proximity to the Ring of Fire that aim to build an all-weather road to the region.

Marten Falls road deal Nov 27 2025

Third remote First Nation signs with province on new all-weather road

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Another agreement that aids in a road to the Ring of Fire mining area has been reached.

The Ford government has signed a Community Partnership Agreement to create an all-weather permanent access road to Marten Falls.

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says the road will benefit his remote community, opening up new opportunities for residents.

“They’re very excited to know what’s going to happen in a few short years, that they’ll actually be able to drive in and out of the community,” says Achneepineskum.

“Come back to the community on the weekend or training, temporary or short-term training or longer-term training, whatever it is, that they’ll be able to stay home or those First Nations members that are off reserve as they come home and build a home in the community.”

The community currently relies on air travel or the winter road network, which lasts only a few weeks.

Achneepineskum says it has had a big detriment on access to healthcare, economic development and the cost of groceries and building supplies.

As part of the deal, Marten Falls will get $39.5 million from the province.

Achneepineskum says some of the money will go toward improvements such as a new terminal building and paved runway at the airport.

“We’re going to be using those funds in a good way to start our economic development initiative and to get ready in terms of actually being part of the overall construction, management and planning of the road.”

Construction is expected to start near the end of next summer, with the road linking with others planned for Aroland and Webequie First Nations.

“These roads, along with roads being upgraded near Aroland, will connect the Ring of Fire to the rest of the world and connect Martin Falls and other communities in northern Ontario to economic opportunity and prosperity and better services,” says Premier Doug Ford.

Similar agreements were signed with Aroland leadership last January and Webequie in October.

The province says it is working with other First Nations to realize its goal of road access to the Ring of Fire mining area.

Webequie agreement Oct 29 2025

Ring of Fire road agreement signed

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The provincial government has signed an agreement with Webequie First Nation that will move forward plans for much needed road access to the Ring of Fire mining area.

Webequie is receiving $39.5 million as part of the agreement.

Some of the money will be immediately released.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford says $10.5 million will be for supplies and materials necessary for early work on the all-season Webequie Supply Road.

“It’s worth noting that this community has led the environmental assessment to be submitted to the government of Ontario in early January, set for approval by spring and then right into construction,” says Rickford.

Another $3 million is being committed for Webequie to lead a study into the potential of a secondary access road that would run east to west.

Such a link had been advocated by a coalition that included the municipality of Sioux Lookout and First Nations communities of Lac Seul, Cat Lake, Slate Falls, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.

As part of the agreement, the province is providing funding for a new airport terminal, replacing one that was destroyed by fire, along with other improvements at the community’s airport.

Funding is also being earmarked for a new community centre with an arena and mental health and other community supports.

“One-point-five million of this, thanks….one of the negotiators, ensure mental health supports for community members and community well-being activities as they rally their community members for probably one of the biggest economic surges I would think, in their history,” says Rickford.

Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse says it is an important agreement for his community.

“It means working with the government, moving forward on our aspirations from the community,” says Wabasse.

“The secondary road is our winter road. It will be developed in a way that will be more usable than what it is now. It will be able to bring more equipment to our community and also bring new things to our community, so it will be more secure and have a good, solid foundation.”

Premier Doug Ford says development of the new supply road will be a game-changer for Ontario and Webequie.

“And with today’s agreement, which includes investments in infrastructure and local priorities in the Webequie community, we’re ready to get shovels in the ground, building the road as soon as the ground thaws next spring,” says Ford.

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Ontario Projecting $21.5B Deficit For 21-22

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The provincial government released the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario, which focused heavily on pandemic recovery.

This includes plans to build a better healthcare and long-term care system. Beginning in 2021-22, $342-million will be invested to add 5,000 upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. Also in the budget is funding towards rapid access to mental health and addictions supports.

The plan also has a strong focus on funding for critical minerals, automotive manufacturing and other industries.

“In order to attract more investments for these investments, we need skilled workers, and that requires us to expand training and encourage more young people to pursue rewarding, well paying jobs in the skilled trades,” says Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy. “Keeping these skilled workers requires us to invest in communities with better health care and stronger local infrastructure.”

Ontario’s Conservatives are projecting a $21.5-billion deficit for 2021-22. They are currently expecting gradual improvements in the deficit over the next few years, predicting a drop to $12.9-billion in 2023–24.

Attention then turned to the Ring of Fire, Bethlenfalvy stressing this plan will unlock mineral mining in Northern Ontario.

“It is also finally time to say yes to making real investments in the north starting with the Ring of Fire,” explains Bethlenfalvy. “The Ring of Fire is one of the most important mineral deposits in all of Canada. It can be a vital source of economic development for communities across the north, and especially for First Nation communities. An investment in the Ring of Fire is an investment in northern prosperity for the people of Ontario, and for all Canadians. It is time to get the road to the Ring of Fire built.”

The plan says that the Ontario government is willing to invest $1-billion to get the job done. Bethlenfalvy mentions that he hopes the federal government will assist in the project, and that other parties in Ontario stop “holding back” the Ring of Fire.

The release of the plan was followed by a response from NDP MPP Catherine Fife.

“This budget showed Ontarians that this PC Government doesn’t want to spend the money on the healthcare and education that Ontarians deserve,” says Fife. “We know countless examples of missed opportunities and warped priorities. Imagine going through the pandemic and deciding to come out on the other side and not invest in the services that people rely on to stay healthy or reach their potential in the province. That means school repair backlogs are going to keep going on. Drafty classrooms, mold in schools, crumbling ceilings that are not getting repaired.”

In a release from the Ontario government, it was mentioned that given the uncertainty of the pandemic, they would continue to maintain flexibility to deploy resources to support further recovery through the COVID-19 Time-Limited Funding.

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Noront Eyes $258M Takeover Bid

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Noront Resources is recommending shareholders accept an offer of $258-million in cash from Australian mining giant BHP Group.

A statement from Noront CEO Alan Coutts says the transaction with BHP is significantly better than an offer from another Australian company earlier this year.

Wyloo Minerals, Noront’s biggest shareholder, offered $144-million in late May.

Noront has ownership or controlling interest in all of the major discoveries in the Ring of Fire mineral belt in the James Bay Lowlands.

Coutts believes it would be a good move for its Eagle’s Nest Deposit nickel, copper, and platinum project and the Ring of Fire.

“BHP has the financial strength, world-class mining expertise, and commitment to work in partnership with stakeholders to advance Eagle’s Nest and the Ring of Fire, which has the potential to deliver benefits to local communities, First Nations, and Ontario for years to come,” Coutts adds.

Shareholders will have 105 days to decide once BHP officially submits its bid to them.

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