Mike Mantha, the NDP’s critic for Northern Development and Mines, claims the Ford government is missing out on a huge mining potential in Ontario.
Mantha, who is also the MPP for Algoma Manitoulin, says Premier Doug Ford needs to establish good relations with First Nations.
During Question Period at Queen’s Park, Mantha said while Indigenous communities, municipalities and mining companies were at the table, there was no sign of the Ford government.
“Can Doug Ford explain to us why his government, just like the Liberal government before him, is not ready to come to the table or prepared to roll up their sleeves and get to work with all partners,” Mantha asked.
In response, Greg Rickford, who is the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, said “this government is at the table”.
“(It’s) creating extraordinary opportunities for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario municipalities to mutually benefit from the resources we develop,” Rickford said.
Rickford says there are more First Nation people employed in mining than any other sector in the country.
He adds while the government wants the sectors that employ Indigenous people grow, the government is committed to developing more mines.