NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO – With Greg Rickford returning to Doug Ford’s cabinet with a reduced role as minister of Northern Development and minister of Indigenous Affairs, the Northwest will see a few more ministers filling in the gaps for mines and forestry.
Parry Sound – Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith will take over the portfolio as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Timmins MPP George Pirie will take on the Ministry of Mines with a mandate to develop the Ring of Fire.
NOMA President Wendy Landry has high hope for the future of Northwest Ontario with Ford’s cabinet picks.
“I think Premier Ford put a lot of thought into this,” Landry begins. “There’s a lot of people that are back in their positions that they were in before which is good for us and good for NOMA and the northwest. The cabinet minister that is back in place like Minister Clarke, Minister Rickford, and some others are really good for us. We have great relationships with them. Minister Jones moving into a different portfolio. She knows us. She knows where we are. She knows who we are. So, there will be a great conversation with regard to the health portfolio. And my friend Grayden Smith, Minister of MNRF, he knows us well. He knows the file well. He knows flooding. He knows forestry, and he knows it’s a huge passion of ours in the northwest. We are happy to work with him as well. To make the Ring of Fire a separate ministry, I think demonstrates their commitment to get that project rolling.”
Ontario’s Ring of Fire project has been in the works for many years with little to no headway in moving forward until this year’s provincial election when Premier Ford took an active interest in the site during his campaign.
Ontario’s Ring of Fire region is one of the most promising mineral development opportunities for critical minerals in the province. Critical minerals like these play a role in the future of low- and zero-emission vehicles and transportation. Mine itself has a long-term potential to produce chromite, cobalt, nickel, copper, and platinum.
MPP Rickford’s dedicated much of his time to multiple portfolios over the last four years, a feat any career politician would acknowledge as a challenging amount of work. Rickford performed his tasks with passion and perseverance.
However, dividing up the role of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry will mean the task of Northern Ontario’s economic future won’t rest on the shoulders of one ministry split into three directions.
Moving the Ministry of Mines into a separate entity can only aid the development of the Northwestern mining industry.
“It’s a lot of work and having one person in charge of all those projects and all those interests and portfolios I’m sure is a challenge,” said Landry. “Although he did well, it dedicates that one ministry, that one person to that specific project. It’s a lot of work to get that project off the ground. So, I think that just shows that dedication to getting it moving forward.”
Going forward, Rickford will lead the ministry of Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs, a role which Landry believes fits the seasoned politician.
Landry said, “I think it’s fair. I mean it’s a big workload. Northern Ontario is a big workload. Northern Development and Mines is a big workload. Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is a big workload. So, I know he’ll do great at that. Like I said, he’s a great friend to me and to NOMA. So, we’ll continue with that relationship and those portfolios. As well, I think that having more northern MPPs is great for us. Grayden Smith is in Bracebridge. He is a former president of AMO. We’ve worked together for many many years.”
Former mayor of Bracebridge, Grayden Smith will act as the minister of natural resources and forestry relieving that sector of projects from Rickford.
When asked if there are any foreseeable challenges for NOMA with the division of the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry, Landry welcomes the new faces to the north.
“I don’t see that as a challenge at all. I see it as a gift. It’s awesome. I mean the more minister we can work with the better. The more minister that gets to know us and Northwestern Ontario is a benefit to Northwestern Ontario as a whole.”
