Kathleen Wynne says it will be difficult to move ahead with the Ring of Fire development before creating a working relationship with First Nation communities.
The MPP for Don Valley West and former education minister paid a visit to the city Thursday before heading to Kenora the next day. Wynne, who also held the portfolios of transportation and Aboriginal affairs minister, said over the years there’s a number of issues Northerners have that to be addressed.
Investment in roads and infrastructure, job opportunities for the youth, improving outcomes for Aboriginal students and creating a cabinet committee in the North made the top of the list for Wynne for issues that needed to be addressed.
But with the Ring of Fire development, the target goal is establishing good relations with First Nations, she said.
“I think the infrastructure challenge is part of the bigger discussion with the Ring of Fire development but I think the primary challenge right now is making sure right working relationship with First Nations,” Wynne said.
“We need to make sure we have the right revenue agreements in place, have the right social supports in place, training opportunities so that they can take part in the Ring of Fire. If those relationships aren’t in place, it will be very difficult to move ahead.”
Wynne said there’s currently some concerns about power needs in the North especially following the announcement of the halting of the conversion of the city’s coal-fired plant to natural fuels.
She said she would be support of keeping the current supports in place and recognize that affordable power a driver of industry in the North.
She added her experience as the head of different ministries will set her apart from the other candidate.
“I am very good at bringing people together and coming up with practical solutions,” she said. “Right now, I think that is very needed in the province. We need to have someone who is a builder and brings people together.”
