TORONTO — The Ontario government has approved the terms of reference developed by two First Nations for a portion of a proposed all-season, multi-use road to the Ring of Fire mineral zone.
The Northern Road Link would connect Webequie and Marten Falls First Nations to the mining development area 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
The two communities are leading the environmental assessment for the new road corridor, which would connect the proposed 200-kilometre Marten Falls-to-Aroland community access road at the south end, and the proposed 110-kilometre Webequie supply road to the Ring of Fire at the north end.
Approval of their terms of reference was announced by the province Monday at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada annual convention in Toronto.
There is no timeline as yet for the construction of any of the roads.
Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse said the Northern Road Link has the potential to become a critical transportation linkage for remote First Nations "but these opportunities must also be balanced against the potential environmental and socio-cultural risks."
Wabasse said the Indigenous-led approach has been designed to study the project's potential impacts and effects, as well as alternatives and possible mitigations, "and most importantly to allow First Nations people to make informed decisions about the future development of their traditional lands."
Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, called approval of the terms of reference a "significant milestone," and said he's grateful for all the hard work undertaken by the community to date.
"With today's approval, we can now roll up our sleeves, continue to significantly engage and consult with neighbouring communities and stakeholders ... and complete the studies to help determine any impacts to the environment."
Some other First Nations in the region have previously spoken out against how environmental assessment for the road project is being conducted, particularly Neskantaga.
At the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canadameeting Monday, Mines Minister George Pirie thanked the Chiefs of Webequie and Marten Falls for leading the environmental assessment, saying he values the government's partnership "with these strong leaders who are central to our government's mandate to develop the Ring of Fire."
The minister added that the Ring of Fire "has the critical minerals we need to build our manufacturing supply chain, including nickel for electric vehicles and chromite for steel."
According to the provincial government, to date it has dedicated close to $1 billion to support legacy infrastructure in the Ring of Fire including all-season road construction, high-speed internet investments, and community supports.
