Regional Economic Development  The people of northern Ontario are good and honest people, and they know when they are being sold a false bill of goods. They are tired, and they want action on the Ring of Fire, not excuses. They know that our NDP leader is a man of action. Just a few weeks ago, he appointed Howard Hampton to be his special advisor on the Ring of Fire. In the end, Conservatives and Liberals fiddle while the Ring of Fire burns.

Regional Economic Development  Speaker, I want to thank the member for his generally positive tone and the effective interaction he has had on Ring of Fire, up until that question was put. The president's remarks are indeed regrettable. While Cliffs has taken a business decision regarding its operations in the Ring of Fire, industry proponents, communities, including first nations communities, the Government of Ontario and our government are quite optimistic about the prospects for the Ring of Fire.

Employment  I can assure the hon. member that Canadians will always be considered first for projects in the Ring of Fire. Any employers asking to use the temporary foreign worker program will be required to show that these workers are being hired as a limited and last resort, a requirement that applies to all employers who apply for this program.

Regional Economic Development  Almost all of the government's Ring of Fire announcements failed to materialize. When will the government show the leadership it promised over a year ago and work with Ontario to make the Ring of Fire happen?

Business of Supply  I made some significant infrastructure announcements, notably to improve water and waste water treatment and importantly, in the case of Webequie, to build on the economic prospect it has as a major hub for Ring of Fire with some investments into its airport, which would also create a platform for more commercial activity that would benefit people directly, particularly with respect to commercial products available to them.

Employment  Will he assure us that temporary foreign workers will not be brought in to take jobs in the Ring of Fire?

Business of Supply  How many times has the minister met with the Matawa First Nation in northern Ontario regarding the ring of fire mining proposals? Has the minister met with the province of Ontario to communicate the importance of considering its vision in the development of any provincial plan?

Mining Industry  In our recently tabled balanced budget, we are extending the mineral export tax credit as well as making new investments in geoscience, in geomapping innovation, and in the separation technology needed to develop such metals as chromite and rare earth elements located in the Ring of Fire. These measures reduce taxes and lower costs for the mining sector, and the sector appreciates that. Sadly, the opposition votes against creating jobs, growth, and economic prosperity for our mining communities.

Regional Economic Development  Well, the question is simple: Why is the minister letting the Ring of Fire fail?

Mining Industry  That aside, everything we do for mining, that member votes against, and people in northwestern Ontario, in particular, Ring of Fire, all told, they know he votes against them.

Citizen Voting Act  It is as though the government were saying that it was giving us the right, but in order to exercise that right, we would have to jump backwards through rings of fire in a hoop skirt. We might go so far as to say that the government is completely disregarding Justice Penny's ruling and not really giving Canadians who live abroad for more than five years the right to vote.

Regional Economic Development  Mr. Speaker, we welcome Ontario's interest in the Ring of Fire. Until recently, it had not been identified as a clear priority by the Ontario government. We have been clear. If the province identifies the Ring of Fire as a priority, economic action plan 2013 allocates significant infrastructure funding for this kind of legacy resource development.

Natural Resources  The CEO of Cliffs Natural Resources called the Ring of Fire “beyond the point of no return.” Does the minister agree? Has he given up, or will he invest in northern Ontario to secure our economic growth?

Regional Economic Development  Speaker, Ontario has not committed a red cent and has set up a development corporation that is not supported by first nation communities, the private sector, and it is not a policy option for this government in its current form. We have made significant investments in the Ring of Fire and will continue to demonstrate our commitment by working with first nation communities and the provincial government should it identify the Ring of Fire as an actual priority.

Economic Development  However, the Conservatives have not shown leadership, which means no new jobs, no investment, and a refusal to work with first nations communities. Almost all of the Conservatives' Ring of Fire announcements have failed to materialize. Northerners are fed up. There are important infrastructure challenges to address. Skills development and worker training are also vital.