Approx 2 weeks ago Coutts stated he wanted to take some summer time with the smelter decision in order to negotiate a favourable industrial hydro rate with the province for its Ring of Fire projects 

The shakeup at Hydro one started yesterday.

Notice Coutts also mentioned the smelter decision delay allowed for a"  possible rebooting of the stalled 2014 Regional Framework Agreement negotiations with Matawa First Nations." 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-entire-ontario-hydro-one-board-to-resign-ceo-to-step-down/

The entire board of Hydro One Ltd. is resigning and chief executive officer Mayo Schmidt has announced his immediate retirement, succumbing to pressure from Ontario Premier Doug Ford for new leadership at the electrical utility.

Mr. Schmidt became a repeated target for Mr. Ford during the Ontario election campaign as the Progressive Conservative Leader courted an electorate unhappy with expensive electricity. At numerous campaign events, Mr. Ford promised to fire Mr. Schmidt, whom he dubbed the “$6-million man,” as well as the company’s board, immediately after entering the premier’s office.

“I’m happy to say today, the CEO and the board of Hydro One, they’re gone, they’re done. We’re going to turn a new corner,” Mr. Ford said on Wednesday afternoon at a press conference outside his legislature office. “I’m proud to announce . . . that the severance for the CEO was zero, absolutely zero."

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https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/far-north-ring-of-fire/noront-drags-out-ferrochrome-smelter-site-pick-968215

A summer-long wait to choose a smelter site would afford Noront an opportunity to negotiate a favourable industrial hydro rate with the province for its Ring of Fire projects and get acquainted with the new cabinet of the incoming Doug Ford government, slated to be sworn in June 29.

The change in government after 15 years surely signals a senior bureaucratic shakeup, especially at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, a restructuring or elimination of the Ring of Fire Secretariat, and a possible rebooting of the stalled 2014 Regional Framework Agreement negotiations with Matawa First Nations. 

That process was to create a development road map for the First Nation communities to participate and benefit from industrial activity in the James Bay lowlands through a resource revenue sharing agreement.