Recently, Ontario made significant progress in its efforts to develop the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region located in the northern part of the province. An agreement was signed with Aroland First Nation, situated north of Geraldton, to upgrade key infrastructure, specifically Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads, and invest in energy transmission. This agreement also involves the creation of an advisory body to oversee the project’s progression. The image accompanying the announcement features Aroland First Nation’s Chief Sonny Gagnon alongside Premier Doug Ford.

The long-term goal of this initiative is to build an all-season road corridor that would eventually offer year-round access to the Ring of Fire region, located about 540 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay. This area holds vast reserves of valuable minerals, including chromite, nickel, copper, gold, and zinc, which are essential to various industries, particularly in the growing electric vehicle sector.

For Ontario, the development of the Ring of Fire is crucial to its efforts to build a domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries, with the region seen as a key source for the critical minerals required. Premier Doug Ford has expressed his strong support for connecting the northern parts of the province to southern industries, workers, and resources, which would foster the creation of home-grown supply chains. Given the potential risk of U.S. tariffs on materials from other regions, Ford believes that advancing this project is essential to unlocking the full economic potential of the area.

Despite Ford’s enthusiasm, progress on the project has been slow, and significant challenges remain. The region is home to nine First Nation communities, collectively known as the Matawa First Nations, which complicates the development process. The government’s plans are intertwined with the concerns of these Indigenous communities, who have expressed varying levels of opposition to the proposed development, particularly regarding the environmental and social impact of the project.

In a recent development, Ontario reached an agreement with Aroland First Nation, which will receive $20 million in funding for infrastructure projects aimed at supporting business development, improving community well-being, and preparing the community to participate in the economic activities related to the mineral extraction. An additional $2.27 million will go towards supporting business development and community wellness initiatives in the region.

Further steps toward progress have been made with the establishment of a collaborative effort involving 15 First Nation communities and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC). This group is tasked with conducting a regional assessment to evaluate the potential environmental, social, health, and economic impacts of any future development. This regional assessment will be prepared by a working group consisting of community members from the First Nations and representatives from the IAAC. Once the assessment is completed, it will be submitted to the chiefs of the First Nations partners and the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

While these steps represent some progress, the road to developing the Ring of Fire has encountered numerous setbacks. One significant issue arose when the Matawa Chiefs Council (MCC) took issue with comments made by Premier Doug Ford. Ford had previously stated that he, along with Vic Fedeli, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, would be willing to personally operate a bulldozer to begin construction on the road network leading to the James Bay lowlands. The MCC expressed strong opposition to this, criticizing Ford for suggesting that First Nations communities had given consent to his proposed strategy for securing resources needed for the critical minerals supply chain. The MCC emphasized that their land is not up for sale, and they questioned the legitimacy of Ford’s rhetoric surrounding Indigenous consent.

The MCC has long been seeking a meaningful and respectful relationship with the Ontario government regarding the development of the north, including the Ring of Fire project. They argue that the province’s authority to grant access to the critical minerals located within their traditional lands is “precarious” and must be carefully managed in accordance with First Nations protocols governing land access. This issue is further complicated by ongoing legal claims filed by First Nations in the region against both Ontario and Canada, which have yet to be resolved.

In addition to these concerns, the MCC expressed its distress over a sign that was recently posted on private property in a high-traffic area of Geraldton. The sign depicted a bulldozer alongside the slogan “Tread on Them,” which the MCC described as a racist reference to Ford’s earlier comments about operating a bulldozer to build roads in the area. The slogan was compared to the American Gadsden flag, historically associated with revolutionary sentiments. The MCC argued that the sign’s message was deeply offensive and reflected harmful, dehumanizing attitudes toward First Nations communities.

The Chiefs called for the Municipality of Greenstone to remove the sign, arguing that such messages foster extremist and threatening ideologies. They contended that Ford’s comment about driving a bulldozer had emboldened certain members of the public to express racist views towards Indigenous communities. The MCC further emphasized that, despite these challenges, they would remain firm in their stance and continue to advocate for their rights. The MCC expressed its determination to press forward with its efforts to protect their land and their communities, regardless of the obstacles they face.

In response to the sign’s appearance and the sentiments it reflected, the MCC is considering taking legal action. They are contemplating filing a claim of discrimination with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, hoping to address the broader issue of racial discrimination and hate speech within the context of this controversial project.

While the development of the Ring of Fire region is a key economic priority for Ontario, it remains embroiled in complex legal, social, and political challenges, particularly in relation to the rights and concerns of the First Nations communities who call the area home. As the project moves forward, it will need to address these critical issues if it is to succeed in gaining broader support and fostering equitable and sustainable development in the region.