Originally published in iPolitics
18 June 2014
Exploitation of Ontario’s Far North offers the potential for huge economic benefits but could also result in conflict and large-scale environmental degradation unless a comprehensive, regionally based planning is used before development gets underway, a new scientific paper indicates.
The paper warns that current piecemeal assessment tools are inadequate for the vast, unspoiled but mineral-rich region known as the Ring of Fire.
The issue has taken on new significance with the province’s newly re-elected Liberal government promising quick action on development in the region.
“Ontario will have only one chance to get it right in the Far North,” the paper states.
“We simply will not be able to circle back and undo poorly considered decisions about development, infrastructure or ecological and social tradeoffs once plans are approved and shovels are in the ground.”
The paper by the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada and Ecojustice Canada advocates a holistic approach to development planning.
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada to release information hub on the largest peatland in North America
A growing demand for “critical minerals” may put one of the largest carbon sinks in the world at risk. A new hub will look at all the values at play in the Ring of Fire in Canada.
There will be no environmental shortcuts taken in the Ring of Fire, says federal minister
Facing down governments and industry, this First Nation makes a promise: There’ll be no development in the Ring of Fire without its consent
Minister Guilbeault: Respect all Treaty 9 peoples’ relationship to the watershed! (ft. Chief Wayne Moonias)
“Today’s part of the Treaty Peoples’ Briefing comes from Chief Wayne Moonias, of Neskantaga First Nation. In this video, Chief Wayne talks about how integral the river system is to all communities in Treaty 9, and how interconnected these neighbouring communities really are.”