Ontario to table legislation that will speed up mine development
New bill could also speed up development of highway tunnel, pipelines, Ford says
Ontario is set to table legislation that it says will speed up the development of mines by designating some as "special economic zones," though Premier Doug Ford said that could also be used on other projects.
The Ring of Fire, a massive area in northern Ontario said to be replete with critical minerals, will be one such economic zone. But Ford said other big projects could receive similar designations, including his plan to build a massive transit and traffic tunnel under Highway 401.
First Nations have already expressed concern about the province's wish to fast-track the development of the Ring of Fire.
The need to urgently mine the province is a direct response to the threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, Ford said.
"President Trump wants to destroy our economy, take jobs away from Ontarians and Canadians, and we have to get up and fight like we've never fought before," Ford said. "We can't be caught up in red tape and regulations and dilly-dallying around."
Ford envisions massive mining operations up north to extract critical minerals from the ground, refine those minerals in the province and then use them for the burgeoning electric vehicle battery industry in southern Ontario. But now he also wants to sell those critical minerals around the world.
He believes mining critical minerals will lead to prosperity for all Ontarians.
"We're going to move forward, going to create economic growth right across the province," he said. "We will be the wealthiest, richest, most prosperous, safest jurisdiction in the world."
Bill also applies to highway tunnel, pipelines: Ford
Ford said special economic zones are not limited to mining operations.
It could be "anything that we see economic opportunity: building a tunnel, for example, along the 401, or any major infrastructure project that creates opportunities and economic development," Ford said.
Another example could be a pipeline, he said. Ford wants to see oil and gas pipelines run across the province and country.
"Let's speed things up. Let's make sure that pipeline gets done. Let's make sure it gets out to Irving or gets down to Sarnia or wherever," Ford said.
First Nations communities say they must be involved
The plan to speed up development of the Ring of Fire has already sparked resistance from many First Nation communities who have constantly reminded the province about its duty to consult them.
The Chiefs of Ontario called on the premier earlier this week to ensure the new mining legislation does not infringe on the rights of First Nations people.
"We are concerned that this legislation may directly or indirectly impact how mining companies interact with First Nations' inherent Treaty and constitutional rights. True economic reconciliation cannot happen through exclusion," said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. "We urge the province and industry to work with First Nations as full partners from the outset, anything less is both unacceptable and could lead to extended delay and loss of opportunity."
Three First Nations — Marten Falls, Webequie and Aroland — have signed deals with the province to help develop the Ring of Fire, though several others in the area have not. Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations are also leading the environmental assessments on three proposed roads that would connect the mine to both communities and all three to the provincial highway system.
Ford said the duty to consult First Nations remains.
When asked how he would convince other First Nations to sign development deals, he said the prosperity coming to those three communities will drive others to join.
"All the other First Nations are going to look over and say, 'Boy, they're prospering, they have electricity while we're still on diesel, they have the ability to bring health care a lot quicker, they have ability to bring fresh fruit that's not frozen,"' Ford said.
Sol Mamakwa, who represents the riding of Kiiwetinoong where the Ring of Fire and numerous First Nations are located, said the government's current approach to consultations is "the bare minimum."
"And that's not good enough," said Mamakwa, the lone First Nation member of Queen's Park.
The legislation is good news for the company that's building the Eagle's Nest mine site in the Ring of Fire region and says it deals with upwards of 19 ministries to get various approvals and permits.
"It certainly will help with the speed," said Kristan Straub, CEO of Wyloo Canada, an arm of the Australian mining giant. "Certain permits are completed in a sequential manner, so meaning that if you have 10 to go through, instead of doing all 10 at the same time, they happen one after another, which draws the process out."
Oversight of the site remains, as does the mine's duty to consult Indigenous Peoples, Straub said.
The legislation will drop the company's obligation to perform an environmental assessment of the proposed road access because the First Nations are leading similar assessments, Straub said.
Political attitudes toward mining feel different from just a year ago, he said, with a renewed push by the provincial government and pledges made by Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre during the federal election campaign to streamline and speed up mining and energy projects.
"From the provincial perspective, I can't think of a better time in the history of this project in having a willing partner with the provincial government and the First Nations that we work with," Straub said.
Officials say the new bill will do away with several other environmental assessments, including one of a proposed landfill in southwestern Ontario.