First Nations in northwestern Ontario sign provincial deal for road, training funds

The Ontario government has signed an agreement with four northwestern Ontario First Nations for money toward roads and training in anticipation of increased mining activity in the region. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford met with local chiefs in Greenstone, Ont., on Tuesday. The provincial government said it had renewed its partnerships with Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Aroland First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation and Long Lake #58 First Nation.

Ford signed confirmation letters with two development corporations owned by the First Nations. 

Promises include upgrading the roads connecting First Nations to the provincial highway network, and funding for other community infrastructure. In a release, the province said the road upgrades will include work on Highway 584 and Highway 11 that will start this construction season. 

The funding announced Tuesday also includes:

• $1.9 million for a program that will provide job training related to mineral development in the region.
• $2 million toward building and maintaining the Migizi Plaza rest stop. This is in addition to the $2 million announced in October 2023, bringing the total rest stop funding to $4 million.

"We're just thrilled that today's announcement really highlights what First Nations economic reconciliation really means," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. 

"They want in on these projects, whether it's commercial development, industrial development. They're full partners at the mine. They'll be involved in the supply chain," said Rickford.  

Ford says the agreements are an example of how Ontario can work with First Nations to help improve their health, social and economic conditions while supporting future critical mineral projects.

Ginoogaming under state of emergency

Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor said she welcomes the investment in training, but that the province needs to do more if it wants true economic reconciliation. 

"There is still so much my community and my community members are suffering from that hasn't been addressed," said Taylor.

Ginoogaming declared a state of emergency in May due to a rise in violence, suicides and overdoses. Taylor said Ginoogaming needs immediate support from the provincial and federal governments to address community safety and health crises.

"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," she said.

Route to Ring of Fire

The government said it is also working to relocate the Greenstone OPP detachment, which is currently on Highway 11 just south of Geraldton. It was displaced after the Greenstone Gold Mine was constructed, said the release, and the mine will support the costs of the relocation. It is one of the largest open-pit mines in Canada.

Plans are underway to create a direct route between the provincial highway network and the lucrative Ring of Fire mineral deposit. It could provide First Nations better access to the south, while also giving prospectors a pathway to minerals needed to build the electric vehicle batteries that are hoped to fuel Canada's green economy. 

There's been pushback surrounding mining in the Ring of Fire and how consultations with Indigenous communities are handled, with recent rallies led by members of the First Nations Land Defence Alliance at Queen's Park.

Last summer, 10 First Nations from Treaty 9 filed a lawsuit against Ontario and the federal government to fundamentally change the way resources and land management decisions are made in the region.