Ford speeds up Ring of Fire roads as some First Nations warn of confrontation – Canada’s National Observer

March 3, 2026

The Ford government is accelerating construction of four all-season roads to the Ring of Fire to unlock critical mineral deposits in Ontario’s Far North — a move that has divided First Nations, with some backing it as economic progress and others warning the project will not proceed without their consent.

Ontario says construction could begin in June 2026, with the first roads opening by 2030 — up to five years ahead of schedule.

The province argues the acceleration is key to advancing mining in the Ring of Fire, a region in the James Bay Lowlands about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay that it says contains minerals used in electric vehicles, batteries and other clean energy technologies.