Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Fri, August 10th, 2007

Ontario Invests In Red Rock Indian Band Economic Diversification Project - #950179
McGuinty Government Supports Wood Processing Plant Feasibility Study

THUNDER BAY – The Ontario government is helping determine the feasibility of establishing a new wood processing plant east of Nipigon, Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle announced today on behalf of Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci.

“The McGuinty government is committed to helping Northwestern First Nation communities take advantage of new economic development opportunities that create jobs,” said Gravelle. “Our investment will help the Red Rock Indian Band further investigate the potential for a new wood sorting and processing facility in their region.”

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will provide $50,000 to help the Red Rock Indian Band study the feasibility of establishing a wood sorting yard and partial processing facility at the junction of Highways 11 and 17. The facility would process wood products such as saw logs, veneer logs and wood chips. This study will look at whether it is feasible for the First Nation to work with existing forestry operators to obtain wood that could benefit from partial processing in the area, include a preliminary environmental assessment and look at the possible participation of the First Nation in the Lake Nipigon Sustainable Forest License.

“The potential economic benefits of this project would help the Red Rock Indian Band undertake other community development projects that create jobs and sustain a better quality of life,” said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC. “Exploring the viability of this project contributes toward the province’s goal of building strong partnerships with First Nation communities and to boosting their economies.”

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in Northwestern Ontario. Other examples include:

• Investing more than $2.8 million to expand broadband and cellular services for First Nation communities in the Far North
• Providing $1,650,000 to construct a 22 bed long-term care home in Terrace Bay
• Contributing nearly $638,000 to train Aboriginal youth for Ontario Common Core Hard Rock Mining certification.

These initiatives are part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. It has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.