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Environmental assessment to begin on 120-kilometre road in northern Ontario

An environmental assessment is set to start on a proposed 120 kilometre long road in northern Ontario.

The Northern Road Link project is a proposal to build a north-south road in a remote part of the province, north of Thunder Bay. It would connect two other proposed road development projects — the Webequie Supply Road (WSR) and the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR). It will provide the First Nations with access to the Ring of Fire mining development area as well as the provincial highway system,

“This notice of commencement is a significant milestone for our First Nations and one that has taken over 10 years to materialize,” says Chief Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation. “We share a common vision with Webequie to change how development occurs in our traditional territory. Today, we are leading the planning and assessment of this project to ensure that environmental risks to our traditional ways of life are thoroughly assessed and mitigated, and that opportunities for First Nations people are maximized.”

Indigenous-led assessment

As an Indigenous-led environmental assessment process, the two First Nations are committed to detailed, community-directed studies that seek best practices to protect and safeguard the environment in any potential road development, they said in a press release.

The process will incorporate traditional knowledge and consultation with First Nations people of all ages including Elders, women and youth groups.

“Our First Nations people have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial and that’s not going to change through this process,” says Chief Wabasse of Webequie First Nation “One of the main reasons we are leading this environmental assessment is to exercise our jurisdiction and inherent rights, as well as to generate the necessary information to make informed decisions about the future of the lands and prosperity of our members through self-determination.

“We are hopeful that our neighbouring First Nations will trust us to lead this planning work responsibly, respecting traditional protocols, clan families and environmental concerns.”

Billed as critical transportation link

The Northern Road Link has the potential to become a critical transportation linkage for remote First Nations, and open the door to new socio-economic opportunities in Ontario.

For isolated First Nation people, the new road will bring needed training, jobs and business prospects.

“Without this project, our people will continue to live in the same underdeveloped conditions, lacking access to drinking water, housing, clothing, jobs, healthcare and education; all the basic needs that other Ontarians take for granted every day,” says Chief Achneepineskum. “This project has the potential to finally bring economic reconciliation for remote First Nations in Ontario, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this planning process with our neighbours in Webequie.”

The Notice of Commencement marks the start of a planning process for the provincial environmental assessment.

Over the next few months, the two co-proponent First Nations will consult with diverse rightsholders and stakeholders to prepare a draft ToR for the Environmental Assessment.  The ToR must be approved by Ontario prior to the commencement of a complete environmental assessment.

For more project information visit: www.northernroadlink.ca/newsletter