First Nations Financial Transparency Act  My community of Marten Falls is now seven years into a boiled water advisory, in a first world nation. This is a community that happens to be sitting right beside the Ring of Fire. I see Dalton McGuinty in Ontario saying that the Ring of Fire will save Ontario. Governments just cannot wait to get their money on those resources. I hear that from the federal government.

Business of Supply  My question there would be: Why is it fair to draw a line, or perhaps a firewall, around there when we have other strategic assets and investments that are going to be happening in the Ring of Fire? Why is it more important than the Ring of Fire? Why is it more important than oil and gas in Newfoundland and Labrador? Why is it more important than development happening in Canada's territories?

Regional Economic Development  Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the government tough questions about why the Ring of Fire project has been suspended. All I got from the parliamentary secretary was a laundry list of places he has visited. The people of northern Ontario deserve better. They want answers about why, after five months of so-called leadership from Ottawa, the project is further from realization than ever before.

Regional Economic Development  Mr. Speaker, the Ring of Fire provides a unique opportunity for the economic development of northern Ontario. If this project comes to fruition, it will help contribute to the sustainable improvement of our economy and have a positive impact on first nations and local communities.

Regional Economic Development  Our government is committed and focused on working with stakeholders to ensure the enormous potential of the Ring of Fire becomes a reality. We will continue to work with all levels of government, especially first nations, and other stakeholders to help maximize those economic opportunities for northern Ontario.

Fair Rail Freight Service Act  We can point to tremendous opportunities that are happening right now across the country, from oil and gas in Alberta, to liquid natural gas in British Columbia, to offshore gas in Newfoundland and Labrador, to new discoveries of minerals and metals in the Ring of Fire in Ontario and in northern Quebec. These opportunities will continue for many years to come. For generations, agriculture and natural resources have brought employment, growth and opportunity to every region of Canada.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, budget 2013 announced $4.4 million over three years to FedNor to provide targeted support to aboriginal communities in the Ring of Fire. The funding will provide support for business skills development, strategic business planning and aboriginal youth engagement to ensure they benefit from resource development opportunities in the region.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, what input has the department had on training programs for first nations related to the Ring of Fire?

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, could the minister list the first nations communities he or his senior officials have met with in conjunction with the Ring of Fire?

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, my colleague has mentioned that the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario has responsibility for the Ring of Fire. I have personally met with quite a few aboriginal leaders across the country and will continue to do that going forward.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  The President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario is in charge of leading the federal efforts while ensuring that Canada takes advantage of opportunities to develop the Ring of Fire resources.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, is the minister aware that the dropout rate in some communities in places like Webequie and the Ring of Fire area is 62%?

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, the minister was in Capreol last week in my riding, which is where the smelter is proposed for the Ring of Fire project. Did the minister meet with anyone on the proposed smelter?

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Mr. Chair, how many Ring of Fire Secretariat meetings has the minister attended?

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Chair, I will be using my full 15 minutes for questions. Does the Department of Natural Resources have a seat at the Ring of Fire Secretariat?