Abstract Manager

The Northern Road Link (NRL) Project is a proposed all-season road in northern Ontario. The project is unique in that it led by two Indigenous communities, Marten Falls First Nation (MFFN) and Webequie First Nation (WFN). Both communities are committed to the sustainable economic development of their traditional territories. They are not currently accessible by all-season roads hence the Project is an important step in linking the communities and the region to the all-season road network. The Project would enable a broader range of economic activity than currently exists by facilitating the transport of goods, services and resources. The proposed road will ultimately connect the Ring of Fire mineral deposits to the all-season highway network by connecting with the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR) to the south and the proposed Webequie Supply Road (WSR) to the north, while also providing an opportunity to connect Webequie First Nation (WFN) to the all-season road network. The Ring of Fire region is one of the most promising mineral development opportunities for critical minerals in the province.

The project is subject to a coordinated provincial-federal environmental assessment/impact assessment (EA/IA) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the federal Impact Assessment Act. The EA/IA will identify potential project effects on Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Interests, physical environment, biological environment, socio-economic environment, cultural heritage resources, and human health. Measures will be developed to reduce negative effects and enhance positive effects. The proponent will collaborate with Indigenous communities to collect and include their input in the assessment through the Consultation and Engagement and Indigenous Knowledge Programs. The EA/IA will also include an assessment of the extent to which the project contributes to sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to protect the environment, contribute to the social and economic well-being of the people of Canada and preserve their health in a manner that benefits present and future generations.