Ontario, Marten Falls First Nation Sign Historic Partnership to Unlock Ring of Fire Development
What the Ring of Fire Agreement Means for Northern Ontario
TORONTO — The Ontario government and Marten Falls First Nation have signed a landmark Community Partnership Agreement that will accelerate construction of the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), advance planning for the Northern Road Link, and deliver critical infrastructure investments for the remote northern community.
The agreement — signed by Premier Doug Ford, Minister Greg Rickford, and Chief Bruce Achneepineskum — marks a major step toward unlocking the economic potential of the Ring of Fire region while ensuring Marten Falls First Nation directly benefits from road development and long-term critical mineral opportunities.
A milestone agreement to advance Northern Ontario development
The province will invest up to $39.5 million to support community priorities, including infrastructure, economic development, and materials needed during the winter road season. The funding also supports progression of the MFCAR environmental assessment, which Marten Falls First Nation has committed to submitting by February 20, 2026 on an expedited basis.
Pending approvals — and federal alignment on avoiding duplicative impact assessments — construction of the all-season road could begin as early as August 2026.
The MFCAR will connect Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario’s highway network for the first time, improving access to health care, education, food, emergency services, and employment opportunities. The all-season corridor is also a foundational link in the proposed road system supporting future Ring of Fire development.
Today, I signed a historic agreement with Chief Achneepineskum and leaders from Marten Falls First Nation to build the roads to the Ring of Fire.
Our agreement will see shovels in the ground by next summer, connecting Marten Falls to the provincial highway network for the first… pic.twitter.com/X60czt1I4X
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 27, 2025
Strengthening partnerships and supporting reconciliation
Chief Achneepineskum emphasized that the agreement represents both economic reconciliation and a renewed commitment to building long-term community capacity.
“This agreement… represents a real and deeper partnership between Marten Falls and Ontario,” he said, noting that building the road must come alongside investments that strengthen the community itself.
Minister Rickford said the partnership reflects a nation-to-nation approach built on trust, shared priorities, and a commitment to ensuring First Nations see direct benefits from critical mineral development.
Part of Ontario’s broader Ring of Fire strategy
The agreement follows partnership commitments earlier this year with Aroland First Nation and Webequie First Nation, aligning with Ontario’s plan to create an end-to-end critical minerals supply chain and support Indigenous equity participation through $3.1 billion in loans, grants, and scholarships.
The province estimates that development of the Ring of Fire could create up to 70,000 jobs across Ontario and provide a major economic boost through mining, processing, and manufacturing linked to electric vehicle supply chains.
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