I bring up New Gold again, because I myself am trying to get representatives from the company and two or three of the first nations it is involved with to present to either this committee or our Liberal caucus on how companies and first nation groups can work together in a positive way that benefits everyone.
I keep touting this relationship. Oftentimes we see roadblocks with resource development projects, and the public and others think that first nation groups don't want any development, but that is not the case. They want smart development that doesn't adversely affect their communities or their way of life. This project, which I have witnessed for the last four years, has been extremely positive and perhaps could be used as a model for the Ring of Fire.
Just last week, we were in Thunder Bay with the Minister of Innovation, and we met with Matawa chiefs. This is the group of indigenous communities who would be most affected by any development in the Ring of Fire area. They brought up many concerns, including roads and infrastructure. They made it clear that they want infrastructure for their communities first—that any spending of money in that area has to focus on them and their needs, which are absolutely astronomical, before or instead of just building a road for a mining company.
The economic development agency works with mining companies and other proponents in the region. Have you been assisting or working with any first nations on their particular wants and needs in the Ring of Fire area?