http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/is-ring-reality-or-myth-next-days-will-tell/article_54f46d5c-854e-11e5-b773-1fff94c25709.html

Posted: Sunday, November 8, 2015 6:00 am

LETTER TO THE EDITOR by Stefan Huzan, THUNDER BAY | 1 comment

I believe the next 100 days will demonstrate if there is to be a new economic reality in Northern Ontario because Justin Trudeau, the new prime minister of Canada, has appointed Patty Hajdu, Thunder Bay-Superior North, to the federal cabinet.

After all, the biggest promise of the Liberal election campaign was multi-billion dollar investments for growth.

And, it is important to note that Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne had also won majority support of voters in 2014, to a large extent on the basis of similar promises of multi-billion dollar investment into infrastructure.

The big question for those interested in realizing our resource development and mining potentials, particularly the Ring of Fire, will be, will these two leaders come together soon, to put their money where their mouths are?

The chromite deposit known as the Ring of Fire is without question the single largest and most significant undeveloped economic resource development project in Canada.

It has been delayed for two principle reasons, lack of funds for needed infrastructure and the inability to reach a working relationship with affected First Nations communities.

According to election rhetoric, we should be able to see an upcoming resolution to both of these issues.

First, the federal Liberals have promised and suggested that it is exactly these types of wealth and job creating development projects that they wish to help fund in order to help move Canada's economy forward.

Secondly, Mr. Trudeau made respectful and constructive First Nations relationships a significant pillar of his election platform. The Ring of Fire is an ideal project through which the federal Liberals can now demonstrate action.

The Ring of Fire project also presents a new opportunity for the provincial Liberals.

Since the discovery of the chromite deposit, the province has been attempting to support development.

From the start, all realized that the federal government would need to bring their money to the table; and they were invited by the province, but they have been unwilling to commit.

A political realist would suggest that Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper felt that there was simply too much money required and too few Conservative ridings to justify the investment.

The October election changed all that.

Premier Wynne has praised Mr. Trudeau's approach and goals, and can now call on Mr. Trudeau to partner in the Ring of Fire development, with both investment development dollars and First Nations negotiations, good will and expertise.

Today, there is no more excuse for delay in the Ring of Fire development.

Promises have been made and I would suggest that over the next 100 days we will see if all of those provincial and federal promises were simply empty words and a useful myth; or, we will witness a new real and promising beginning for political investments and growth in Northwestern Ontario.

Stefan Huzan

THUNDER BAY