Ontario New Democrats want federal, provincial action on Ring of Fire

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha is pushing the provincial Liberals to take action on developing the Ring of Fire.

The Northern Development and Mines critic told CBC News the Liberals have promised to invest a billion dollars into the mining project since 2014, but said northerners are frustrated because they want stable jobs now.

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"We keep hearing the government is developing a plan, to implement the plan and put the plan in action," Mantha said.

"It's time to move. It's time to create jobs for Ontario. It's time to bring prosperity to First Nations and into the entire province."

Mantha said the Ring of Fire will create long-term jobs in exploration, construction and skilled trades.

There was no new money announced for the project in the recent provincial budget.

"The government touts this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Mantha continued.

"But who's lifetime are they talking about? We are certainly not seeing the progress that communities, First Nations, [and] this province needs to see this development happen."

Meanwhile, Timmins James-Bay MP Charlie Angus has written to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr in advance of the federal budget.

He's urging federal action to ensure the potential of the project is realized.

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