Bilateral Meeting Between the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines

Press Release

The offices of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines, released the following statement after concluding their meeting today in Ottawa.

“This afternoon, the Ministers had a constructive first meeting of 2015 regarding progress in the Province of Ontario’s plans to develop the Ring of Fire.

“The federal government welcomes new proposals for specific, tangible projects to develop resources in the region.

“The Ministers discussed furthering cooperation with a particular focus on infrastructure to support extractive activities and access to remote communities.

“They reinforced their mutual contributions to the development of the Ring of Fire through January 2015, including increasing opportunities for First Nations.

“The Ministers discussed the federal government’s $53-billion Building Canada Fund for provincial and municipal infrastructure.

“The Building Canada Fund has the potential to support infrastructure proposals for legacy resource development projects like the Ring of Fire.

“They agreed on the importance of strong minister-to-minister dialogue and cooperation for resource development, the economy and progress with First Nations.

“The Ministers agreed that they will remain in close communication and meet again in the near future.”

Media may contact:

Chris McCluskey
Director of Communications
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
613-996-2007
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447

The general public may contact:
Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca

IBF4