Four First Nations have signed an agreement with the province to improve roads from their communities to the provincial highway network — part of the Ford government's plan to unlock key mineral deposits in Ontario's north.
Premier Doug Ford announced deals on Tuesday with Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Aroland First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation and Long Lake #58 First Nation that will see Ontario improve all-season roads that connect the communities to the provincial road network and add money for training and infrastructure.
Construction will be done by First Nations workers, Ford said at the announcement in Greenstone, about 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, flanked by the leaders of each nation.
The agreement will "improve year-round access to everyday essentials like food, fuel and health care," Ford said.
"People don't have a clue down in the city, not being able to go down the street for food, or hop in your car. Well, we're gonna change lives," he said.
Work will start this construction season on upgrades to Highways 584 and 11, Ford said.
As part of the agreement signed on Tuesday, Ontario will spend $1.9 million on an Indigenous workforce training fund for mining-related jobs in the region; $2 million to build and maintain the nearby Migizi Plaza Rest Stop, which will serve as a revenue generator and hub for the region; and will relocate the Greenstone OPP detachment after it was moved due to the construction of the nearby Greenstone Gold Mine. The mine will pay for the relocation, a provincial news release said.
The province will also consult with First Nations and police forces on a pre-charge diversion program, which is meant to divert youth from the justice system for less serious crimes.
In the news release, Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor said the training "is crucial for empowering our people with the skills and opportunities to build meaningful careers, strengthen our communities and ensure our members are participating in projects on our lands."
But in person, Taylor took issue with the Ford government's approach to First Nations, saying her community participated in the press conference "under duress."
"I wanted to say that, contrary to Minister (of Mines) George Pirie's unfortunate comments, our grandfathers are not begging for exploration holes, and our lands are not empty," she said.
Ginoogaming is in a state of emergency due to an increase in violence and drug- and alcohol-related crime — and higher levels of government haven't responded to calls for aid, Taylor said.
"It is not missed on me that projects that benefit the government of Ontario are taking precedence over the resolution of our state of emergency and that seven decades of our grievances that we've experienced have not been resolved," she said.
"Time and again we have shown Ontario how it can help us but it never happens."
Forestry, mining, hydro and land sales are happening on Ginoogaming's traditional land without compensation, Taylor said. And the bridge that takes people in and out of the community is "rotten," she added. "And our children and our people have to cross that every single day," she said.
Ontario is trying to build an end-to-end electric vehicle supply chain in the province, and sees the Ring of Fire as the key starting point. In order to start mining, roads need to be built into the area, much of which has very little infrastructure, if any, to support a project this size. But the government must negotiate with Indigenous communities in the area for the right to do so.
Tuesday's announcement is only about upgrading existing roads. In order to get further north, the province will need to build a three-part road over hundreds of kilometres.
If built, the Marten Falls Community Access Road would run from Aroland, which is connected to the existing highway network, to Marten Falls Nation. From there, the Northern Road Link would connect the Marten Falls road to the Ring of Fire Region, just east of Webequie First Nation. Another road — the Webequie Supply Road — would connect the Ring of Fire region to Webequie territory.
Greenstone will be "the new centre of gravity for mining, in partnership with First Nations," Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford said.
He has dubbed the area the "corridor to prosperity."
Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon called the deal "a testament to what can be achieved when First Nations, government, and industry collaborate effectively and negotiate equitable agreements that bring real benefits to our members."
During the presser, Ford said Gagnon still had to take him on a promised fishing trip.
"I need an anchor," Gagnon said.
"We'll use Rickford as the anchor, don't worry," the premier said.
The letters of confirmation were signed by Ontario and Kenogamisis Investment Corporation, and Minodahmun Development. The former of the companies is owned by all four First Nations while the latter is owned by three of them.
Two other communities, Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation, have signed deals with the province to handle the environmental assessments of three proposed roads into the Ring of Fire.
Ford’s push to develop the region has also alienated some First Nations leaders. Cat Lake First Nation Chief Russell Wesley received an injunction earlier this year to stop the construction of a road to a gold mining project, alleging the government failed to consult them.
—With files from The Canadian Press. This article has been updated after publication to include comments from Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor.
