Editorial

Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, released the following statement today on consulting with Aboriginal communities on mineral exploration and development:

“Our government is responsible for managing Crown lands and the natural resources of this province. In so doing, we must balance the need to promote economic development and our thriving mineral exploration and development sector with our commitment to meeting our constitutional obligations to Aboriginal peoples.

In 2006, Ontario introduced its first ever Mineral Development Strategy, which provided the foundation for the sustainable management and stewardship of Ontario’s mineral resources. Our goal was to reinforce the province’s international position as a leading mining jurisdiction and to promote responsible mineral development for the benefit of all Ontarians. Our modernized Mining Act continues to support these aims.

Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources, issued the following statement today regarding the Wolf Lake Old Growth Forest Reserve:

“One of the most challenging parts of our jobs is balancing economic development opportunities with environmental sustainability. Both are necessities for Ontarians.

Our government’s decision to divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) was a difficult one that was made after careful deliberation.

No other government has done more than ours to try to make the ONTC viable. We have invested over $430 million to date – almost three times the funding provided by the last two governments combined. And while our support has increased, revenues generated by ONTC continue to decline and ridership is stagnant at best.