PC Leader Pledges to Cut Red Tape, Speed Up Approvals, and Invest in Northern Infrastructure

Doug Ford vows to unlock the Ring of Fire, protect Thunder Bay’s workers, and fight U.S. tariffs

Thunder Bay, February 22, 2025 — Doug Ford has reaffirmed his Progressive Conservative government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of Ontario’s critical minerals in the Ring of Fire. Speaking today, Ford laid out his plan to accelerate approvals, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and invest in key infrastructure to support jobs and industry in northern Ontario.

The PC leader’s trip to Thunder Bay was delayed following the Delta air crash at Toronto Pearson that closed the airport last week.

“Over the past seven years working with First Nations, we’ve made significant progress building the roads to the Ring of Fire,” Ford stated. “As we face down the threat of President Trump’s tariffs, we need to do more and we need to do it faster. To protect Ontario, we have to get our critical minerals out of the ground, processed, and shipped to factory floors. We have to double down on working with First Nations to speed up approvals and get shovels in the ground on critical mineral projects.”

Ford also emphasized the importance of Thunder Bay in his economic vision for northern Ontario, stating:

“Thunder Bay is a proud port city and a major manufacturing, resource, and trade hub for northern Ontario. Thunder Bay deserves representation that will protect its workers and industries against the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Only the Ontario PCs have the plan to unleash the full economic potential of this region.”

Competing with the U.S. for Investment and Jobs

With Trump vowing to streamline regulations and accelerate project approvals south of the border, Ford emphasized that Ontario must act boldly to stay competitive. His plan includes making Ontario the most attractive destination in the G7 for investment, business, and job creation—starting with cutting the time required to launch major projects.

Ford called on the Trudeau government to remove unnecessary federal obstacles that slow down resource development.

He specifically urged Ottawa to scrap redundant environmental assessment requirements that duplicate provincial processes, inflate costs, and delay approvals.

Ford’s Plan to Unlock the Ring of Fire

A re-elected PC government would:

✅ Prioritize Critical Mineral Development – Designate areas rich in critical minerals, including the Ring of Fire, as regions of strategic importance for Ontario’s economy and national security. This would trigger accelerated permitting, streamlined consultation timelines, and financial support for First Nations partners. Pre-approved companies meeting high safety and environmental standards would receive automatic approval to begin early work.

✅ Expand First Nations Participation – Invest $70 million into the Aboriginal Participation Fund to support Indigenous consultation on key projects and train First Nations workers for jobs in the critical mineral sector.

✅ Launch a $3 Billion First Nations Opportunities Financing Program – Triple the current $1 billion Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program to support First Nations equity participation in industries like resource development, energy, and infrastructure.

✅ Support Indigenous Education – Create new scholarships for First Nations students pursuing careers in resource development, in partnership with Ontario’s post-secondary institutions.

✅ Legislate a One-Project, One-Process Rule – Establish a streamlined approach to mining development that guarantees service-standard timelines for approvals. Major projects would have a dedicated project manager to navigate regulations efficiently.

Protecting Ontario’s Economy in the Face of U.S. Tariffs

Ford also highlighted his broader economic plan, promising:

• $200 billion in infrastructure investments to build roads, highways, and transit.
• $2.5 billion for skilled trades training to prepare over one million workers for high-paying jobs.
• Aggressive action against federal policies like the carbon tax and regulatory red tape that slow down economic growth.
• Increased investments in healthcare, including $1.8 billion to connect every Ontarian to a family doctor.
• Safer communities, with new policies to remove drug injection sites near schools and clear public encampments.