Ontario and Webequie First Nation Sign Historic Partnership to Advance Ring of Fire Development
Province commits $39.5 million to community infrastructure and road construction supporting First Nations-led growth in Northern Ontario
Toronto, Ontario – The Government of Ontario and Webequie First Nation have signed a Community Partnership Agreement that marks a historic step toward unlocking the economic potential of the Ring of Fire while advancing First Nations-led development and community well-being.
Premier Doug Ford, alongside Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Development and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, and Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation, signed the agreement in Toronto on Tuesday.
$39.5 Million for Community Infrastructure and Supports
The agreement commits up to $39.5 million to Webequie First Nation for community infrastructure, mental health services, and recreation facilities, while laying the groundwork for construction of the Webequie Supply Road — a critical all-season route linking the community to Ontario’s mineral-rich north.
Premier Ford called the agreement “a massive milestone” in the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s economy and build a resilient, self-reliant future. “Now, we need the federal government to work with us to remove duplication so we can get shovels in the ground building these roads as soon as the ground thaws this coming spring,” Ford said.
Pending environmental assessment approvals and consultations, construction on the Webequie Service Road is expected to begin in June 2026. Once completed, the road will support local jobs, strengthen supply chains, and serve as a key link to mining and manufacturing operations in the Ring of Fire region.
Today’s agreement with Webequie First Nation is a huge step toward building the road to the Ring of Fire, with shovels in the ground by next June.
We’re working in partnership with First Nations, so we can unlock economic opportunity for northern communities and protect workers… pic.twitter.com/F8l8AO6Swd
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 29, 2025
Community-Led Development
Chief Cornelius Wabasse emphasized that the road is more than an infrastructure project — it’s about empowerment and opportunity.
“The Webequie Supply Road is more than a road — it’s a pathway to opportunity, access and growth on our terms,” said Chief Wabasse.
The investment will also fund a new indoor multipurpose facility for sports and recreation, support local employment and training programs, and include upgrades to the Webequie Airport, transforming it into a regional transportation hub.
Building Ontario’s Critical Minerals Future
Minister Greg Rickford described the deal as “the next important chapter of First Nations economic reconciliation,” highlighting that Ontario is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable mineral development and supply chain growth.
This agreement builds on the province’s Shared Prosperity Agreement with Aroland First Nation, signed earlier this year, and aligns with Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2022–2027, which seeks to build a complete made-in-Ontario supply chain — from mining to manufacturing.
A Shared Path Forward
Located about 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Webequie First Nation is a remote northern community accessible primarily by air and winter road. The Ring of Fire region, roughly 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, spans more than 8,000 square kilometres and contains one of the world’s richest deposits of nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals essential to electric vehicle and battery production.
With this agreement, Ontario and Webequie First Nation are advancing reconciliation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth — ensuring northern communities benefit from the province’s critical mineral future.
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