OTTAWA—NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says an NDP government would pave the way for potential economic developments like Ontario’s Ring of Fire by ushering in a new day in Ottawa’s co-operation with First Nations.

“A stronger nation-to-nation relationship is possible,” Mulcair said in notes for a speech at a National Resource Equity conference in Winnipeg.

He said improved dealings between First Nations and the federal government are not only achievable but would bring “incredible economic benefits for everyone.

“Nowhere do these lessons have more potential than in northern Ontario, with the Ring of Fire,” Mulcair said, adding that the mineral rich area is the “opportunity of a lifetime” for natives and Ontarians.

Development of the Ring of Fire, which would within a decade create an estimated $9 billion in economic activity and 5,500 full-time jobs, has been held up by environmental concerns, public infrastructure costs and consideration of the needs of native communities in the affected region.

The Ring of Fire mining projects “will spring up on land belonging to some of the most marginalized First Nations in the country,” Mulcair said.

“It’ll mean jobs. It’ll mean prosperity and economic self-sufficiency. It’ll mean hope and opportunity for future generations,” he added. “But none of this will happen if First Nations don’t have a seat at the table, and if they don’t provide free, prior and informed consent for any development on their lands.”

Mulcair said the failure of the current and previous federal governments to uphold the rights of First Nations and work with them co-operatively is taking a toll on the economy.

“Across the country, indigenous communities are standing in opposition to energy projects — from the Northern Gateway pipeline on the West Coast to proposed fracking projects in the East — that fail to respect treaty rights, inherent rights and Canada’s international obligations.”

Mulcair said co-operation between Ottawa and First Nations has been made more difficult by the Harper government’s moves to “gut some of Canada’s oldest and most important environmental laws” without consultation with native groups.

He promised an NDP government would redefine relations with natives based on their legal standing as nations.

“We simply cannot move forward until we begin to recognize the legal rights of indigenous peoples, until we recognize that indigenous peoples form nations within Canada,” Mulcair said. Ottawa and First Nations must work together as equal partners, he added.

“When I become prime minister,” Mulcair said, he’ll throw open the doors of 24 Sussex Drive to First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders from across Canada.

Meanwhile, Michael Gravelle, Ontario minister of northern development and mines, announced a framework agreement with nine Matawa-member First Nations that Gravelle said will allow talks on developing Ring of Fire resources to go ahead.

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“Together, we are moving forward on realizing the Ring of Fire’s potential and making important advancements on regional, environmental and economic developments,” Gravelle said in a statement.

The agreement means First Nations and the provincial Liberals can work together on the project’s environmental monitoring and assessment plans, revenue-sharing issues, economic supports for the Ring of Fire and needed regional and community infrastructure, he said.

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