Ring of Fire road agreement signed
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.
