Ottawa and Ontario are scheduled to finalize an agreement on Thursday aimed at streamlining the regulatory processes for major projects, including infrastructure developments in the Ring of Fire region. This collaboration will involve eliminating redundant assessments and adopting a unified approach known as “One Project, One Review and One Decision.”
Webequie First Nation and Marten Falls First Nation are spearheading environmental assessments for three roads linking their communities and mining operations in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire area. As part of a supplementary agreement concerning the Ring of Fire roads, the federal government has pledged to synchronize its impact assessment timeline with the province’s environmental evaluation, aligning with the First Nations’ plans to commence road construction by 2026.
The signing of the deal will be attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford in a ceremony in Ottawa. The details were disclosed during a recent visit to the Ring of Fire region as part of a reporting initiative supported by the Pulitzer Centre.
The initiative is expected to accelerate major projects significantly, such as road constructions, highways, and mining activities, according to a confidential source from Premier Ford’s office. The source emphasized the transformative impact of the agreement, particularly in the mining sector and infrastructure development, surpassing the influence of any previous large-scale project.
A senior federal government insider emphasized that the primary objective of the agreement is to eliminate duplication while maintaining stringent standards and upholding rights and protections, particularly concerning the Ring of Fire roads. The federal government has established a regional assessment working group to analyze the developmental impacts, although it is unlikely to affect the planned roads according to the province and the involved First Nations.
With these agreements in place, Ontario is not anticipated to utilize contentious new authority to designate the Ring of Fire road as a special economic zone, a provision that would have allowed the suspension of provincial and municipal laws to expedite the construction of a proposed mine in the region.
The Ring of Fire region is known for its abundance of critical minerals, attracting interest from various companies like Wyloo and Juno Corp., which own a significant portion of the claims in the area. These companies have identified diverse critical mineral and base metal deposits essential for various industries like electronics, aerospace, and renewable energy.
Ontario has finalized regulations to establish special economic zones, effective from January 1, 2026, as part of the Bill 5 omnibus package. The legislation grants the province the authority to suspend local laws to accelerate major projects, a measure that has sparked concerns among several First Nations groups in the region.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli will have the discretion to designate special economic zones and select trusted proponents and projects, with final decisions subject to cabinet approval. Fedeli highlighted that these economic zones will enhance Ontario’s economic competitiveness by reducing bureaucracy, expediting approvals, and safeguarding jobs and industries vital for the province’s growth.