Ontario and Aroland First Nation Break Ground on Ring of Fire Road

AROLAND FIRST NATION — Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, Aroland First Nation Chief Joseph Sonny Gagnon, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, and Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, announced that work commenced on major upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads as of June 30, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building the roads to the Ring of Fire, five years ahead of schedule.

“This government is getting things done in true partnership, as we build transmission lines and accelerate roads to the Ring of Fire,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines and MPP for King—Vaughan. “We are proud to unveil that the Anaconda and Painter Lake road expansion is two years ahead of schedule, as we move with speed to unlock Ontario's vast mineral wealth. Following our aggressive reforms to cut mine permit timelines by half, along with new investment in enabling infrastructure, Ontario has emerged as the second-best jurisdiction for mining investment on earth and number one in Canada.”

Ontario’s ambitious Ring of Fire road delivery plan delivers on a core mandate commitment and will help unlock the vast economic potential of critical minerals in the region, add $22 billion to Ontario’s economy, create 70,000 good-paying jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and support long-term economic growth and prosperity for First Nations communities and northern Ontario.

“As we face down President Trump’s latest economic attack on Ontario workers and communities, we’re delivering on our plan to build the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7 for decades to come,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By building the roads to the Ring of Fire, we are unlocking $22 billion in economic potential and 70,000 good-paying jobs, while working with partners like Aroland First Nation to improve access to services for community members. I want to thank Chief Sonny Gagnon and the members of Aroland First Nation for their partnership as we stand up to protect Ontario communities and workers.”

Preliminary design and early works to expand the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads began in June and are already underway, with the roads scheduled to be open by November 2030, two years ahead of schedule. The expansion is anticipated to include the completion of bridge upgrades, drainage system upgrades, realignment work and widening of both roads to meet two-lane secondary highway standards. Once opened, the roads will serve as a key connection between the provincial highway network and the new all-season roads leading to the Ring of Fire while creating employment opportunities for Aroland First Nation and supporting local businesses.

“We have an extraordinary opportunity to work as full partners with Aroland First Nation, supporting their leadership and other partner First Nations in the Ring of Fire region, as we embark on one of the largest infrastructure projects in this province,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “Today, we are part of something special. Aligned with the leadership and priorities of Aroland First Nation, we are advancing legacy infrastructure that will support responsible resource development and create lasting prosperity.”

In January 2025, Ontario and Aroland First Nation signed a Shared Prosperity Agreement to drive economic growth and build infrastructure in northern Ontario, including building critical community infrastructure, making upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads and investing in energy transmission to stimulate local economic activity, enhance access to essential services and support the long-term prosperity of Aroland and the northern Ontario region.

“Our government is making historic investments in our provincial highway network to unlock access to the Ring of Fire while supporting economic opportunities for First Nations in northern Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “We are proud to work with Aroland First Nation on this significant project that will generate economic growth for First Nations and connect remote northern communities to the provincial highway network.”

Work on Anaconda and Painter Lake roads continues the momentum on Ontario’s accelerated plan to complete roads to the Ring of Fire. Under the accelerated plan, pending all necessary approvals and consultation:

• Construction on the Webequie Supply Road started in June 2026 and will be open by November 2030, four years ahead of schedule

• The Marten Falls Community Access Road is scheduled to start construction in August 2026 and open by November 2031, four years ahead of schedule

• The Northern Road Link is scheduled to start construction in spring 2028 and open November 2031, five years ahead of schedule.

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s plan to unlock the economic potential of the Ring of Fire region. As the global demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture electric vehicles, batteries, modern defence technologies and advanced manufacturing continues to grow, Ontario has the deposits, skilled workforce, expertise and business-friendly investment climate to secure the province’s place as the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

Quick Facts

• Signatory to Treaty 9, Aroland First Nation is an Ojibwa, Oji-Cree, and Cree community in northern Ontario, home to about 400 of its 700 registered members.

• The upgrade project will upgrade 97 kilometres of roads and replace all 62 culverts along the corridor to improve drainage.

• Upgrades to Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads will help to connect Highway 643 to the proposed all-season roads corridor leading to the Ring of Fire, including the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road, the Webequie Supply Road and the proposed Northern Road Link.

• Once complete, the Webequie Supply Road will improve year-round access to goods and services and connect Webequie community members to essential health and social services while creating lasting opportunities for First Nation-led economic growth and prosperity.

• In June, the province broke ground on the Geraldton Main Street Rehabilitation Project, a key gateway to the Ring of Fire.

Quotes

"Advancing these road improvements will strengthen connections between northern communities and create new opportunities for businesses and workers in the North. In partnership with First Nations, our government is making strategic investments that support responsible development in the Ring of Fire, attract further investments and deliver long-term economic benefits for northern Ontario."

- George Pirie

Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

"A strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand – and with the successful completion of MTO’s class environmental assessment process, MTO can now move forward with the project. Ontario is proud to be working with First Nations partners to connect communities and unlock generational opportunity in the North while protecting our shared environment."

- Todd McCarthy

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org