Weekly News Roundup

January 26 – February 1, 2021 : Weekly News Roundup

Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation selected two environmental consulting firms in the process of two proposed roads that would connect the communities, and regional extractive industries, to other provincial infrastructure.

Neskantaga First Nation was granted an extension to the consultation period for the two proposed roadways. They have been unable to adequately engage in a process of informed consent with community members. The compounding issues of the pandemic and an evacuation resulting from unsafe tap water resulted in conditions that made meaningful consultation impossible.

The Ontario’s air ambulance service has begun to deliver the first COVID 19 vaccines to remote First Nations communities, including Neskantaga First Nation.

January 27, 2021 (CBC)

Provincial consultation deadline pushed back for two proposed roads in Ring of Fire

Neskantaga had requested delays because of inability to meaningfully consult community members during pandemic

“The Ontario government says it has heard concerns from Indigenous communities about the challenges of consulting on proposed developments for two access roads into the Ring of Fire area, and have extended deadlines for both projects after pushback from some First Nations in the area.

Both the Webequie supply road and the Marten Falls community access road are working their way through the province’s environmental assessment process.” Read more here . . .

January, 28, 2021 (Northern Ontario Business)

First Nations select engineering firms to do Ring of Fire roads environmental assessment

Province agrees to extend consultation deadline on road projects to accommodate First Nations

“Two heavyweight consulting firms have been selected to do the environmental assessment (EA) studies for the second leg of the proposed Ring of Fire road, from Marten Falls to Webequie.

SNC-Lavalin and Dillon Consulting were selected through a competitive bid process announced in a joint news release by Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation, the two community road proponents, on Jan. 28.” Read more here . . .

January 28, 2021 (Sault Online)

Ring of Fire: Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation to conduct environmental assessment for Northern Road Link

“THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 28, 2021 – Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation are taking the necessary next steps to study the potential for road infrastructure development in Ontario’s remote north. The two First Nations today announced that SNC-Lavalin and Dillon Consulting have been selected to complete an Environmental Assessment on a proposed all-season road that will link the two remote First Nations and connect to emerging mining sites in the Ring of Fire area.” Read more here . . .

January 29, 2021 (On-Site)

Road to Ontario’s Ring of Fire region inches forward with environmental assessment

“Two First Nations in Ontario’s remote north have selected a pair engineering firms to carry out an environmental assessment for an all-season road between the two communities.” Read more here . . .

January 29, 2021 (DCN-JOC News)

SNC-Lavalin, Dillon Consulting to undertake northern road EA

“THUNDER BAY, ONT. — Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation have announced that SNC-Lavalin and Dillon Consulting have been selected to complete an environmental assessment (EA) on a proposed all-season road that will link the two First Nations and connect to emerging mining sites in the Ring of Fire area in the James Bay lowlands of northern Ontario.” Read more here . . .

January 29, 2021 (Cision)

Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation Select SNC Lavalin and Dillon Consulting to Conduct Environmental Assessment for the Northern Road Link

“THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 28, 2021 /CNW/ -Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation are taking the necessary next steps to study the potential for road infrastructure development in Ontario’s remote north. The two First Nations today announced that SNC-Lavalin and Dillon Consulting have been selected to complete an Environmental Assessment on a proposed all-season road that will link the two remote First Nations and connect to emerging mining sites in the Ring of Fire area.” Read more here . . .

February 1, 2021 (Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly)

Consultants selected for road connecting to Ring of Fire

“Consultants SNC Lavalin and Dillon Consulting have been selected to conduct the environmental assessment (EA) for the northern road link project – a proposed all-season road that will link remote First Nations and connect to emerging mining sites in the Ring of Fire.” Read more here . . .

February 1, 2021 (Kitco News)

Engineering consultants chosen for Ring of Fire environmental assessment

“SNC Lavalin and Dillon Consulting to Conduct Environmental Assessment for the Northern Road Link.

Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation announced the decision on Thursday.” Read more here . . .

February 1, 2021 (CTV News)

Operation Remote Immunity’ kicks off, bringing vaccines to fly-in Indigenous communities in Ontario

“TORONTO — Planes filled with precious cargo prepared for takeoff this morning as Operation Remote Immunity, a program aiming at bringing the vaccine to fly-in communities in Ontario, officially took flight.

Operation Remote Immunity will deliver the Moderna vaccine to 31 First Nation communities in Northern Ontario, most of which can only be reached by air.” Read more here . . .

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