Speaking Notes for The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for FedNor
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
222 Bremner Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario
1:30 p.m.
Check Against Delivery
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for joining us for this important announcement.
I am pleased to be here today with my provincial colleague, the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
I believe I speak for both of us when I say that we are honoured to be joined by Chief Wabasse, Chief Moonias, and Chief Yellowhead.
Before I get to the reason for today’s event, I would like to begin by saying a few words on the important work our Government is doing to secure a strong and prosperous future for the people, businesses and communities of Ontario and across our great nation.
In an uncertain global economy, we are staying the course with our low-tax plan for jobs and growth – a plan that has worked and served Canadians well.
Since we introduced the Economic Action Plan to respond to the global recession, the Canadian economy has posted one of the strongest job creation records in the Group of Seven (G-7) over the recovery, with nearly 1.2 million jobs created since June 2009.
Over 90% of the jobs created are full-time positions, over 80% are in the private sector and over two-thirds are in high-wage industries.
Canada cannot rest on this record of success.
Despite solid job creation since June 2009, too many Canadians remain unemployed.
That is why the Government’s Economic Action Plan focuses on the drivers of growth and job creation—infrastructure, investment, education, skills and communities – underpinned by our ongoing commitment to keeping taxes low, and returning to a balanced budget this year.
As you can see, I take great pride in highlighting what our Government is accomplishing for all Canadians.
As a member of the Harper Government’s Northern Ontario Caucus, I am especially proud of the progress we are achieving and the role that our Government continues to play in creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity for the region.
We do this through strategic investments that support manufacturing, technology and innovation, community economic development, business growth and vital infrastructure projects.
This strategic approach to our investments is what drives our efforts around key development opportunities of importance to Northern Ontario, the entire province and indeed all of Canada.
The Ring of Fire development is one such opportunity.
While Northern Ontario is poised for transformative changes due to the Ring of Fire, including job creation and infrastructure development, this generational mining opportunity will produce economic benefits that will be felt across all of Ontario and Canada well into the future.
The Ring of Fire promises new investments, jobs and growth for Northern Ontario and I look forward to working with First Nations, the provincial government, the private sector and other partners and stakeholders on this unparalleled opportunity.
First Nations involvement and participation are essential elements to the success of all Ring of Fire initiatives.
This is why the majority of our Ring of Fire investments to date have been focused on supporting the efforts of First Nation communities to ready themselves, their members and their businesses to take full advantage of this significant economic and social development opportunity.
With that in mind, today I am pleased to announce that the Harper Government and the Province of Ontario will be investing a total of $787,628 in support of a key strategic planning and consultation initiative to be undertaken in partnership by the First Nation communities of Webequie, Eabametoong, Neskantaga and Nibinamik.
The federal government and the Province of Ontario will each contribute $393,814 to complete a regional community service corridor study.
The study will examine the options and benefits of developing an all-season transportation corridor that would connect First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario with existing roadways that currently end in Pickle Lake.
What does this mean for the region?
It means that the communities will have the opportunity to work collaboratively to assess, plan and develop a shared transportation solution that will open the door for future development in Northwestern Ontario.
The project will help meet the immediate and long-term needs of local communities and the region by identifying the most viable option to provide remote communities with year-round access to vital resources that are typically difficult, if not impossible, and certainly expensive to access.
It will also position the area to capitalize on opportunities related to resource development projects, such as the Ring of Fire.
With an estimated value of $30 to $50 billion and the potential to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, the Ring of Fire is likely the biggest mining development opportunity Northern Ontario has ever seen.
As you can see, the investment we are announcing today is yet another step in our shared journey to secure the long-term growth and economic sustainability of Northwestern Ontario.
In conclusion, let me say how proud I am to be working side-by-side with Minister Gravelle and our First Nation partners to support jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in Northwestern Ontario, throughout the province and across the nation.
I also wish to personally thank Chief Wabasse, Chief Moonias, Chief Yellowhead, as well as Chief Atlookan of Eabametoong First Nation, who could not be here today, for their commitment to advancing the social, economic and environmental well-being of their communities and all of Northwestern Ontario.
Thank you. / Merci
