NDP MP DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY ON RING OF FIRE

OTTAWA – As news breaks that Cliffs Resources is backing away from the Ring of Fire project, Ottawa’s Conservatives continue to remain silent and utterly unaccountable.

Today in the House of Commons, NDP Mining critic Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) demanded answers from Conservatives as the mining project that was supposed to be the economic engine for Northern Ontario stalls.

Claude Gravelle:

“Mr. Speaker, the Ring of Fire in Ontario's north holds vast potential for economic growth and regional development, but this week we learned that the company is preparing to walk.

Northerners are fed up. Instead of a real plan from the Liberals of Ontario, there is real trouble. Start-up is delayed, the smelter is on hold. Thousands of potential jobs are in jeopardy, but we see no leadership from the Conservatives.

What will the Conservatives do now to get the Ring of Fire file moving?”

Mike Lake, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry:

“Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians, creating jobs and economic growth throughout the country, including Ontario's north.

Since its creation, FedDev and FedNor Ontario have helped build a prosperous Ontario region by investing in community and economic development programs. This has helped increase business activity grow new economic opportunities and create new jobs.

Canada has the best job creation record among all G7 countries, and we will continue down that path. We hope the opposition parties will support us in that.”


Claude Gravelle:

“Mr. Speaker, I think this time the parliamentary secretary should listen to the question.

Northern Ontarians are tired of empty talk that is not backed up by any action.

Unlocking the vast potential of the Ring of Fire will require a nation-to-nation approach and real engagement from the federal government. Northern communities should not be forced to pay the price of government’s inaction.

We are talking about good, value-added jobs and economic development that could transform our region. How can the Conservatives explain their inaction to Northern Ontarians?”

Kelly Block, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources:

“Mr. Speaker, we welcome Ontario's interest in the Ring of Fire. Until recently, it had not been identified as a clear priority by the Ontario government.

We have been clear. If the province identifies the Ring of Fire as a priority, economic action plan 2013 allocates significant infrastructure funding for this kind of legacy resource development.

We have made significant investments in the Ring of Fire, and we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to responsible resource development that creates jobs and economic growth for northern Ontario.”