Have to love this answer, Arn't you excited? MINING INDUSTRY
Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Minister, you know that the largest project to be undertaken in northern Ontario, when it comes to mining, is potentially the Ring of Fire projects. Can you confirm if you’re in any way in discussions with Cliffs resources to sign a ministerial permit allowing ore to be shipped out of Canada?
Hon. Rick Bartolucci: We are very, very excited about the Ring of Fire. There are several aspects that the government is speaking to Cliffs about, which will be no surprise to the member from Timmins–James Bay, because we were very, very excited. I think members on both sides of the House were very, very excited when Cliffs decided that they were going to build their processing plant in Ontario.
So we look forward to the potential that the Ring of Fire will bring to I think everyone in Ontario, in particular northern Ontarians.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?
Mr. Gilles Bisson: Wow! We are so excited with that answer, we’re beside ourselves. My Lord.
I asked you a very simple question, Minister, a very simple question: Are you, yes or no, in discussions with Cliffs resources to sign a ministerial permit allowing the shipping of raw chromite out of Canada? Yes or no? That’s all I want to know.
Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Well, you know what? Maybe the member from Timmins–James Bay isn’t excited about the Ring of Fire, but I can tell you that everybody else in northern Ontario is very, very excited. In fact, the mayor of Timmins is very, very excited. He’s looking for the opportunity that this very exciting project will bring to the people of northern Ontario.
We look at the job creation opportunity. We look at the spinoff benefits of the supply and services sector with regard to the Ring of Fire. We look at the investment, the infrastructure investment, that’s naturally going to take place from the Ring of Fire. We look at the additional mines that will come on board. We look at the opportunity for our First Nations.
To say that he isn’t excited about the Ring of Fire certainly isn’t reflective of what the people of northern Ontario—
Interjections.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you.