Page 70 at this stage whether it was in SSM Sudbury T immins or Thunder Bay But as opposition grows in Sault Ste Marie Mayor Geor ge Pirie of T im mins keeps raising the welcome mat reminding Noront that they are al ways welcome to change their minds and go to T immins where there al ready is a permitted property for the smelter and residents ready to give them a loving hug of welcome The Markets The market still plays a role in the vi ability of the entire project once all the pieces of the puzzles are lined up Chromate from the Ring of Fire was originally earmarked China the big gest manufact urer of stainle ss steel in the world But the continuing trade dispute betwee n China and the US could force the US to secure its own stainlesssteel supply The chromate from the ring of fre could be destined south to the US instead of overseas to China Government Help or Hindrance The Liberal governments under Dal ton McGuinty and Kathleen W ynne ushered in a Ring of Fire Secretariat in 201 1 that was to expedite the talks with First Nations some of whom supported the projected and others who opposed it based on benefts that would accrue to them Negotiations between government and First Nations developed a framework agreement or a broad outline for proceeding to fnal negotiations but not a fnal agreement could be negotiated That framework agreement was scrapped by the Doug Ford government in August 2019 who favours signing agreements with in dividual First Nations in the hopes of moving the project forward Ford and his government are also committed to tearing up the Mc Guinty government s Far North Act hoping to reduce red tape and restric tions on important economic develop ment projects in the Far North includ ing the Ring of Fire allseason roads and ele ctrical transmission projects for communities W e have heard time and again that the Act limits development in the Far North of Ontario where there is so much potential for economic growth and prosperity said John Y akabuski Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry That s why we are moving quickly with the intention of building a path forward that supports business cer tainty while continuing to work close ly with First Nations communities at an advanced stage of planning T ime frame for opening up the Ring of Fir e If the economic assessment and de sign work is completed and the deci sion is to move forward with the proj ect it will be in the ballpark of about two years before the Environmental Assessment is started The Ring of Fire represents a major economic opportunity to create jobs generate revenue build infrastructure and bring prosperity to communities across the north including First Na tion communities Ontario is working directly with First Nation partners through bilateral agreements Agreements between On tario and First Nations partners sup port individual communities unique needs and priorities for development This will help build the necessary in frastructure to unlock the incredible potential of mineral resources in the Ring of Fire for the beneft of First Nations and all people in Ontario Contd from pg 68 Ontario working dir ectly with First Nation partners thr ough bilateral agr eements