Kathleen Wynne wants to hear from the North on economic concerns.
But when it comes to the suspension of converting the Thunder Bay Generating Station to natural gas, a decision that municipal and industry leaders say could jeopardize mining potential, she wants to hear from the Ontario Power Authority and Ministry of Energy.
“I really need to wait for an assessment by the OPA before we make a final decision,” the Premier designate said during a conference call with media from Northern Ontario Tuesday afternoon.
As for development in the Ring of Fire, Wynne said she wants to see resource benefit sharing agreements in place with First Nations and municipalities along with environmental processes.
Wynne said she wants to see a collaborative process with various ministries and regional leadership.
“I think we have been working to do that. I think maybe we haven’t been as clear as we should have been in terms of building those relationships,” she said of Aboriginal affairs.
When asked about Northern representation in her cabinet, Wynne said she didn’t want to pre-empt her announcement next week.
“I cannot imagine forming a cabinet without regional and Northern representation,” she said.
Along with a cabinet committee on the North, Wynne has committed to holding a cabinet meeting somewhere in Northern Ontario within 30 days of being sworn in, which happens Feb. 11.
When and where exactly though hasn’t been decided.
“I want our connection to the North to be real,” she said.
