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2008-2012 research

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Part of the social issue i was talking about yesterday, research up to 2009

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considerations

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importance of land and water in the north - LUPs 

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importance of land and water in the north - LUPs 

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This funding from the government's Skills and Partnership Fund will give many Matawa First Nations a career and a future

A major milestone has been reached for Matawa First Nations and the Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services (KKETS) in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Just this month, the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA), a partnership that includes these two bodies, received over $5.9 million from the Government of Canada's Skills and Partnership Fund to provide training for employment in the mining sector for the people of Matawa First Nations.

The funding will provide members of the Matawa First Nations with a chance at not only a job but a career and a future.

Dawn Desmoulin, communications officer at RoFATA and KKETS, said it all started with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Matawa First Nations, KKETS, Noront Resources Ltd. and the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, creating the RoFATA partnership last October. RoFATA's key objective is to provide training-to-employment opportunities to support the Matawa First Nations people.

"This is huge," said Desmoulin. "This first funding announcement is only the tip of the iceberg with what we're going to be doing. We will making a difference in the lives of our Matawa members in nine communities, where a lot of them are in need of training. The majority need training to acquire sustainable employment."

The facts

Matawa First Nations are spread out through nine communities around Thunder Bay. There are five remote communities and four road-access communities. The ring of fire and the Eagle's Nest project is right in the Matawa First Nations' backyard.

"It's in our traditional lands and territories, and I think to have our own members to be able to get trained and become employable gives us a sense of ownership as to what's going to be happening up there," said Desmoulin. "Approximately 260 trainees will be trained and 196 trainees will enter into employment through RoFATA."

Noront Resources Ltd. is the industry partner committed to creating opportunities to enable the Matawa First Nations people to participate in all aspects of its mining operation on the Eagle's Nest's nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit.

The training is scheduled to start as soon as October and programs will run anywhere from five to 20 weeks. All the training will be completed in a timely manner that coincides with when Noront will need the workers. It is all based around the construction timeline for Noront.

The programs

Training programs being offered include mining essentials, environmental monitoring, base line cutting, security guard, remote camp cook, remote camp support, underground common core, underground diamond driller helper, heavy-equipment operator, pre-trades carpentry, pre-trades electrical and more.

"The training has a large theoretical component and these will be delivered to Matawa First Nations communities," said Desmoulin. "But the hands-on technical part will be done in the city through our partner, the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, or here at the KKETS office where we have three classrooms."

According to Desmoulin, this partnership and funding is setting precedents for Matawa First Nations youth. Everything, she said, is for the future of the youth, as the next generation is responsible for carrying on their legacy.

"It's a grand and monumental time right now," Desmoulin said. "We are ready to move forward for our communities and continue to make partnerships that will help us prosper into the future. It means great things for our people."

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Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance receives $5.9 million

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A major milestone has been reached for Matawa First Nations and the Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services (KKETS) in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Just this month, the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA), a partnership that includes these two bodies, received over $5.9 million from the Government of Canada's Skills and Partnership Fund to provide training for employment in the mining sector for the people of Matawa First Nations.

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First Nations oppose the Ring of Fire mining projects

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First Nations oppose the Ring of Fire mining projects

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Mining companies are hungry to extract resources from Ontario's "Ring of Fire", a mineral rich area of Northern Ontario. The provinces premier Dalton McGuinty describes the area as Ontario's oil sands.

However last month five First Nations in the area issued a moratorium on mining development, and on July 5th one of those nations, the Neskantaga First Nation brought a legal challenge against Cliffs Natural Resources and the Province.

Cliffs Natural Resources are proposing to create Ontario's first chromium mine, and 360 km road to access the mine. Neskantaga First Nation say that the company has an "aggressive timetable" to build the road, and they have not fulfilled their duty to consult on the $3.2 billion project.

"This is about a small First Nation in Northern Ontario standing up against an American mining bully, hell bent on making a road and a mine no matter what First Nations say," said Chief Peter Moonias of Neskantaga, "The McGuinty government continues to ignore First Nations and is desperate to see this Northern Ontario mega project go ahead."

"The courts have said that the Crown's duty of consultation arises early in the process. To be meaningful, consultation must take place before key decisions are made that advance a project," explained Matthew Kirchner, the lawyer who represented Neskantaga at the Ontario Mines and Lands Commission, a Toronto court that deals exclusively with issues related to mining.

The courtroom was packed with nine people who travelled from Neskantaga and their many supporters from both nearby First Nations and Toronto.

"As this is a legal matter, we are not at liberty to comment at this time." Cliffs told the Toronto Media Co-op in an email, adding "Consultation is the duty of the Crown.

First Nations treaties were negotiated with the British crown. In this case the province of Ontario acts as the Crown, as it is in charge of regulating mining.

"Ontario and Cliffs have gone a long way down the path towards building this project without Neskantaga input and that is a problem that must be addressed," said Kirchner. "This is a massive project that will open up the Neskantaga homeland for the first time, threatening the Neskantaga's rivers, fish, wildlife and their very way of life."

"We have constitutional and aboriginal and treaty rights on our side and we hope the Mining Court can help us put this project on hold so a proper consultation process can begin." said Moonias.

Neskantaga and five other First Nations who issues the moratorium on mining in their terrirtory put 22 companies on notice that they would be evicted unless a government to government process is established to deal with issues of importance to First Nations, including social and environmental needs.

Moonais acknowledged that their legal fight is "an uphill battle," and emphasized the difference between the amount the of money that big corporations are able to spend on court cases compared to the amount of money that first nations are able to spend.

"We will exhaust all the options of the justice system before we consider other resorts such as peaceful occupation of the land."

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First Nations oppose the Ring of Fire mining projects

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Mining companies are hungry to extract resources from Ontario's "Ring of Fire", a mineral rich area of Northern Ontario. The provinces premier Dalton McGuinty describes the area as Ontario's oil sands. However last month five First Nations in the area issued a moratorium on mining development, and on July 5th one of those nations, the Neskantaga First Nation brought a legal challenge against Cliffs Natural Resources and the Province.

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The Liberals are not forecasting a surplus but are in the position to do so by using prudent forecasting measures. The deficit peaked in the last recession at $19 billion in 2009.

Deficits aside, the debt has ballooned and needs attention

Since the recession in 2009, the Ontario debt grew by nearly half when measured against GDP. Debt is starting to slide from a peak of 39.1% of GDP but is only projected to recover to 2009 levels of 27% in 2030, 21 years later.

Look! No more bad debt

Just good debt. Lots of it! Accumulated deficits accounted for 61% of the run-up in debt between 2008 and 2016.
MORE: Ontario's 2017 budget: balanced and primed for an election
Net givers to rest of Canada

Ontario contributes $7.1 billion to the equalization program, while receiving $1.4 billion, for a net contribution of $5.7 billion. Quebec benefits most, with a net $7.6 billion received.

Ontario's sweet spot

Ontario has been in an economic sweet spot in the past few years, fuelled by strong corporate profits, employment gains and a red-hot housing marketing in the GTA.

How much Ontario pays on its debt
READ: How Ontario's 2017 budget will affect your pocketbook
In 1990, the province paid 10.9% on its debt. Today, thanks to generation-low interest rates, that amount is down almost two-thirds. Beware higher rates. If rates were to increase 1 percentage point, that would mean a $300 million hit on interest. Ontario pays $11.25 billion on its debt interest this year, which adds up to 8.2 cents of every revenue dollar it takes in.

Trump Factor No. 1

If the U.S. president goes ahead with his plan for aggressive cuts to corporate taxes in the U.S., it will put pressure on Ontario to cut as well, which would put a strain on provincial revenues.

Trump Factor No. 2

Ontario relies on trade with its largest trading partner to the south. Exports account for 36% of the province's GDP and the U.S. takes 81% of that trade. Ontario is the top export market for 20 U.S. states.

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Ontario budget 2017: The province's economy in 8 charts

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The Liberals are not forecasting a surplus but are in the position to do so by using prudent forecasting measures. The deficit peaked in the last recession at $19 billion in 2009. Since the recession in 2009, the Ontario debt grew by nearly half when measured against GDP.

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Back to balanced, but under threat from Trump. Would be easy to argue that we need ROF to combat any backlash from Trump

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This funding from the government's Skills and Partnership Fund will give many Matawa First Nations a career and a future

A major milestone has been reached for Matawa First Nations and the Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services (KKETS) in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Just this month, the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA), a partnership that includes these two bodies, received over $5.9 million from the Government of Canada's Skills and Partnership Fund to provide training for employment in the mining sector for the people of Matawa First Nations.

The funding will provide members of the Matawa First Nations with a chance at not only a job but a career and a future.

Dawn Desmoulin, communications officer at RoFATA and KKETS, said it all started with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Matawa First Nations, KKETS, Noront Resources Ltd. and the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, creating the RoFATA partnership last October. RoFATA's key objective is to provide training-to-employment opportunities to support the Matawa First Nations people.

"This is huge," said Desmoulin. "This first funding announcement is only the tip of the iceberg with what we're going to be doing. We will making a difference in the lives of our Matawa members in nine communities, where a lot of them are in need of training. The majority need training to acquire sustainable employment."

The facts

Matawa First Nations are spread out through nine communities around Thunder Bay. There are five remote communities and four road-access communities. The ring of fire and the Eagle's Nest project is right in the Matawa First Nations' backyard.

"It's in our traditional lands and territories, and I think to have our own members to be able to get trained and become employable gives us a sense of ownership as to what's going to be happening up there," said Desmoulin. "Approximately 260 trainees will be trained and 196 trainees will enter into employment through RoFATA."

Noront Resources Ltd. is the industry partner committed to creating opportunities to enable the Matawa First Nations people to participate in all aspects of its mining operation on the Eagle's Nest's nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit.

The training is scheduled to start as soon as October and programs will run anywhere from five to 20 weeks. All the training will be completed in a timely manner that coincides with when Noront will need the workers. It is all based around the construction timeline for Noront.

The programs

Training programs being offered include mining essentials, environmental monitoring, base line cutting, security guard, remote camp cook, remote camp support, underground common core, underground diamond driller helper, heavy-equipment operator, pre-trades carpentry, pre-trades electrical and more.

"The training has a large theoretical component and these will be delivered to Matawa First Nations communities," said Desmoulin. "But the hands-on technical part will be done in the city through our partner, the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology, or here at the KKETS office where we have three classrooms."

According to Desmoulin, this partnership and funding is setting precedents for Matawa First Nations youth. Everything, she said, is for the future of the youth, as the next generation is responsible for carrying on their legacy.

"It's a grand and monumental time right now," Desmoulin said. "We are ready to move forward for our communities and continue to make partnerships that will help us prosper into the future. It means great things for our people."

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Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance receives $5.9 million

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A major milestone has been reached for Matawa First Nations and the Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services (KKETS) in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Just this month, the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA), a partnership that includes these two bodies, received over $5.9 million from the Government of Canada's Skills and Partnership Fund to provide training for employment in the mining sector for the people of Matawa First Nations.

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Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines

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The Ring of Fire is one of the most promising mineral development opportunities in Ontario in almost a century. Located in Ontario's Far North, current estimates suggest the multi-generational potential of chromite production, as well as significant production of nickel, copper and platinum.The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, through the Ring of Fire Secretariat, works with all levels of government, industry and Aboriginal peoples to encourage responsible and sustainable economic development in the region.

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Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines

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What is the ROF (Ring of Fire) Infrastructure Development Corporation (ROFIDC)?

The ROF Infrastructure Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation.

The interim board has five directors from the Ontario Public Service. The board will put the necessary structures in place in order to allow for partners to determine their participation in the corporation. This includes working with key partners including First Nations, industry, communities, and the federal government, to formalize partnerships through the corporation and overseeing an economic and technical baseline feasibility report on transportation infrastructure.

As participation in the corporation evolves, the Board of Directors will be broadened to include membership from First Nations and industry partners.

What is the role of the ROF Infrastructure Development Corporation?

The ROFIDC's role is to:

Encourage and assist exploration for and development of mineral deposits in the Ring of Fire by financing, building, operating and maintaining strategic transportation infrastructure including industrial and community access roads

Engage and consult with industry, government and aboriginal communities

Negotiate and facilitate agreements among key partners

Promote and foster economic development opportunities connected to exploration and development of mineral deposits in the Ring of Fire for First Nations located in the region as well as aboriginal and non-aboriginal persons and communities throughout the province

Who are the other partners in the development corporation?

The province is leading the creation of a development corporation that will bring together key partners, including First Nations, mining companies, as well as the federal and provincial governments.

What is the provincial government's role in the ROF Infrastructure Development Corporation?

While Ontario is taking the lead in establishing the development corporation, once an agreement in principle is in place with key partners, the province will be one of many partners sharing an interest in the opportunity presented by the Ring of Fire.

When will there be a full board?

The board may be expanded to include additional directors as appropriate. Developing and finalizing an agreement in principle with key partners that includes the composition of the board of directors will be a priority of the development corporation.

What is Ontario's investment in the development corporation?

The government has committed to provide up to $1 billion for strategic transportation in the Ring of Fire. The province expects that other partners, including industry and the federal government, will also contribute. The decision about when and how to flow funds will be negotiated as part of the agreement in principle, and must comply with all necessary environmental assessment requirements, regulatory permits and approvals, and the Crown fulfilling its duty to consult.

Newsroom

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The ROF Infrastructure Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation. The interim board has five directors from the Ontario Public Service. The board will put the necessary structures in place in order to allow for partners to determine their participation in the corporation.

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Standing Committee on Natural Resources Dec 7 2011 

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Feb 2017

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political standpoints laid out. 2014

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The Ring of Fire, a chromite deposit in Ontario's North is said to be worth billions of dollars. The Liberals say they'll contribute $1 billion if the federal government matches. The Agenda examines the politics and possibilities of the Ring of Fire.

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Ring of Fire is a six part documentary series that follow the lives of several community members from Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations as they try to deal with the complex issues surrounding a very large mining project - called The Ring of Fire.