The “Gretzky Principle” advocates anticipating events instead of merely reacting. Premier Doug Ford has committed his government to resource development in the north, which requires the construction of roads and routes suitable for transport trucks. What should he and his ministers responsible for implementing these plans undertake to ensure that this process takes place lawfully, orderly, and in partnership with all stakeholders? Without sufficient foresight, proper communication with Indigenous groups, and attention to detail, the premier risks significant project delays, damaged relationships with First Nations, and lasting resentment in the North. As part of the plan to combat U.S. President Donald Trump, the north’s resources need to be mined, transported, and refined. Ontario’s Ring of Fire, a significant mineral-rich region within the James Bay Lowlands, contains various minerals, including nickel, copper, platinum, and chromite. How many people in Ontario know much about the area, the issues at hand, or the potential economic benefits it may provide? This article aims to address some of these questions and recommend actions that the Ontario government should consider before proceeding with this challenging project.
The Ring of Fire comprises several mineral claims within a larger region known as the McFaulds Lake area, located approximately 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Within McFaulds’ area, a renowned and rich deposit of minerals rests beneath the surface. Included are chromite, essential for stainless steel; nickel and copper, found in surrounding rock formations (especially mafic and ultramafic intrusions necessary for attracting many of the mineral deposits); and a platinum group of metals such as palladium and gold.
The economic potential of these minerals has generated significant interest from mining companies, First Nations communities, and provincial governments. Extracting these minerals could create jobs and bring more investment into the area. Few would question an interest in forging ahead with development, but there are environmental concerns, indigenous rights and engagement that require attention. Before Ford makes big announcements, signs contracts, or determines government policy, he should consider the fallout of allowing the indigenous figurative hockey puck through the government’s five-hole. The fragile northern ecosystem could be affected. Worries include water protection, habitat disruption, and the overall mining footprint that these kinds of operations could create. Development plans for this area must respect the rights and interests of the several indigenous communities who live there.
Indigenous groups have already expressed their interest in the Ring of Fire mining operations. They have a range of concerns and perspectives that Ford should consider before pushing ahead with the projects. These considerations incorporate their relationship with the land, an emphasis on rights and sovereignty, and the need for sustainable development. Indigenous groups insist that any mining decisions must involve their full participation and consent. They advocate for an acknowledgment of their land rights, something they believe is often overlooked or inadequately addressed by government or industry. These groups also want assurances about protecting waterways, preserving wildlife and habitats, and safeguarding hunting land. Native groups share concerns regarding potential health consequences from mining, especially water and air pollution. Traditional practices and lifestyles remain important to most indigenous groups. Anything endangering indigenous cultures and ways of life would be met with opposition.
The Ford government will have one opportunity to get this right. If the effort to proceed ignores the concerns of the Indigenous groups, the government will face several forms of protest. Historically, native groups have used blockades. Expect potential blockades on roads, railways, and access points. These blockades are used to assert land rights, delay projects, or draw public attention to their concerns. Organizing public demonstrations and rallies to raise awareness has also worked well for First Nations groups in the past. If they choose to perform traditional ceremonies or highlight their connection to the land, it can emphasize their opposition to resource development. Governments have been working hard with indigenous groups for several decades to heal wounds and reconcile past grievances. Ford cannot expect to decide to develop these regions and squash the rights of native peoples. The prioritization of Ring of Fire development—road construction, mining, and global export—by Ford’s government is an open secret. He calls it Ontario’s key to economic prosperity and provincial success. Unless he takes the proper steps to consult, respect, and understand the concerns of the indigenous groups, he risks creating a firestorm. He has a couple of ways to deal with this or face an uphill climb. If he does not want his efforts thwarted, he will have to acknowledge the inevitability of a partnership of deeds with the Native people, not one based on words alone. That will require building trust, re-establishing communication, and a lasting commitment to land rights, shared benefits, and legal agreements.
Indigenous groups know there are benefits, and holding the government hostage serves little purpose. How the Ford government responds will demonstrate its understanding of complex Indigenous land issues over its seven years in power. Should First Nations groups continue to oppose collaboration with the government, the courts may intervene, leaving Ford with the challenging responsibility of potentially evicting people from sacred lands. The importance of identifying risks, anticipating responses, and developing a suitable strategy looms large for the premier as he embarks upon this renewed lease in government. Heavy force is less probable to be used against indigenous communities than against environmental groups that work to safeguard resources from risks such as water contamination, air pollution, animal rights, and endangered species. Regardless, Ford will face groups who do not share the government’s urgency to get these projects moving. Whether his government succeeds will be determined by how well his team and the premier foresee objections, opposition methods, and public mood. For Ford to succeed, he must listen to all stakeholders, show more flexibility than before, and communicate a commonly held Ontario vision for resource development. How the premier handles this file may decide his place in Ontario history, if not Canadian lore.
Dave Redekop is a retired elementary resource teacher who worked part-time at the St. Catharines Courthouse as a Registrar until being appointed Executive Director at Redeemer Bible Church in October 2023. He has worked on political campaigns since high school and attended university in South Carolina for five years, earning a Master’s in American History with a specialization in Civil Rights. Dave loves reading biographies.
