OTTAWA – BUSINESS – There was a Bilateral Meeting between the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines hosted in Ottawa today.
The offices of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines, released the following statement after concluding their meeting today in Ottawa.
“This afternoon Ministers had a constructive first meeting of 2015 regarding progress in the Province of Ontario’s plans to develop of the Ring of Fire.
“The federal government welcomes new proposals for specific, tangible projects to develop resources in the region.
“Ministers discussed furthering cooperation with a particular focus on infrastructure to support extractive activities and access to remote communities.
“They reinforced their mutual contributions to the development of the Ring of Fire through January 2015, including increasing opportunities for First Nations.
“Ministers discussed the federal government’s $53 billion Building Canada Fund for provincial and municipal infrastructure.
“The Building Canada Fund has the potential to support infrastructure proposals for legacy resource development projects like the Ring of Fire.
“They agreed on the importance of strong Minister-to-Minister dialogue and cooperation for resource development, the economy and progress with First Nations.
“Ministers agreed that they will remain in close communication and meet again in the near future.”
