Construction expected this summer on Ring of Fire roads

The Ontario government is accelerating construction of roads to the Ring of Fire.

Construction on two segments will begin this summer, with others ready two to five years ahead of schedule.

Completed environmental assessments have been done for the Webequie Service Road (WSR) and the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), putting them on track to start construction this summer.

Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says it creates the opportunity for mining companies to move more quickly on their projects.

“No longer is this a pipe dream. This is literally the infrastructure, the vision that’s coming to life as we speak,” says Lecce.

“I will not speak for the companies and the investors in the region, but we’ve now made it much easier to get to yes, to deliver a permit and to start to see extraction. We would only do so in partnership with the First Nations.”

Premier Doug Ford says he would be happier if the roads could be completed sooner.

“The quicker we do it, the more opportunities that come and more economic development for our friends in the First Nations and everyone else in the province,” says Ford.

The province also signed Joint Statements of Economic Partnership with Marten Falls, and that includes $2.5 million to support local economic activities and a commitment for training and other supports to benefit from the Ring of Fire region.

Community Partnership Agreements were signed last year.

Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says it will open up new opportunities for his community.

“It means a future for our youth,” says Achneepineskum.

“We need to give our youth a chance to be equal partners, to move forward in this area where there’s development, training, opportunities available and future jobs.”

“We’ve all said we want to take the lead in those opportunities and we are, and this is just one area that we’re taking the lead on,” he adds.

Webequie First Nation Chief Lorraine Whitehead sees similar benefits for her community.

“For Webequie, this is about self-determination,” says Whitehead.

“It is about ensuring that our community members are fully participating and leading any work happening on our lands, whether it be business development, construction, environmental monitoring, or engineering. Webequie must be at the center of leading and benefiting from economic growth.”

There are two other road segments.

They include upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads, scheduled to be ready for use by November 2030.

The Northern Road Link is scheduled to start construction in spring 2028 and open by November 2031, five years ahead of schedule.