First talks

The lead negotiators for both the province and Matawa First Nation in the Ring of Fire development had their first chance to meet since taking on their new roles.

Matawa First Nation held its annual general meeting in Long Lake 58 First Nation last week. Michael Gravelle, the minister of Northern Development and Mines, along with retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci attended the meeting as well as former Liberal Leader Bob Rae.

Iacobucci announced last month that he would be the lead negotiator for the province in the development of the Ring of Fire. Rae stepped down from politics in order to become the lead negotiator for Matawa.

Gravelle said he thought the meeting was positive although there’s still some issues that need to be resolved.

He said that there’s a positive feeling since the appointment of Iacobucci.

“It was the first opportunity we could all be together,” he said. “The communities want to embrace the development of the Ring of Fire. We need to make sure that this is done in a fashion that’s done right, which relates to, I think, concerns about environmental assessments, regional infrastructure.”

Gravelle stressed that the Ring of Fire project is being developed in an area that hasn’t seen development before.

That’s why it’s crucial that the project is done right, he said.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford, who was appointed minister of state for science and technology last month and became the federal government’s point man on the Ring of Fire, wasn’t in attendance at the meeting.

Gravelle said it was up to Matawa to send the invite but added  he hoped to meet with Rickford later this week.

“There’s a significant and an important role the federal government can and needs to play,” he said. “To be fair he’s newly appointed a couple weeks ago. We want to make sure there’s enough time for the briefing he needs. I’m also excited that he’s also responsible for FedNor.”