New Appointment of Natural Resources Minister
Now,that Greg Rickford has been appointed by P.M. Steven Harper speaks volumes for continued progress in the Ring of Fire replacing Joe Oliver.Greg is the right man for the right job because of his experience working with first nations.He came into politics to improve economy & infrastructure of the First Nations.Early in his career he worked as a nurse & lawyer in remote communities in northwestern Ontario.The government's relationship with oboriginal communities & his willingness to help finance their development is key..
In Ontario,the provincial government has been urging the federal government to play a more substanial role in paving the way for development in the Ring of Fire,a massive chromite delvelopment near James Bay Lowlands,good mining for more than 100 yrs,Well north of $60,000,000,000 in rich minerals which will supply the jobs Ontario has been lacking.This Ring of Fire has been compared to The oil sands of Alberta.
In November,Premier Kathleen Wynne sent a letter to P.M. Harper,urging Ottawa to match Provinicial funding for infrastructure delelopment.
I think this appointment is a really opportunity for the province to continue to make a case for Federal Government to come to table & become a full partner in this.Ontario Minister of Northern Development,Michael Gravelle,said in an interview.Good chance there will be direct funding for the Ring of Fire in the upcoming budget.