The economic potential of northwestern Ontario’s Ring of Fire area, identified as a major source of chromite used in stainless steel production, generated discussion among Sault Ste. Marie provincial byelection candidates in a debate held Wednesday.
Candidates from each of the three main political parties agree a job-producing smelter facility for the Ring of Fire should be located in the Sault.
Ross Romano, Progressive Conservative candidate, charges that the ruling Liberal government has done little to develop the Ring of Fire area since its potential was discovered in 2007.
“The Liberal government indeed did put some money aside in 2014, then they shuffled that billion dollars down a year, then another year, and finally in 2017, you know what they did, nothing.”
“I will fight to bring the smelter facility to Sault Ste. Marie,” Romano said.
Romano called on the Liberals to build the necessary access road into the Ring of Fire area.
Romano was joined by Liberal candidate Debbie Amaroso and NDP candidate Joe Krmpotich.
Romano, a local lawyer, was on the offensive as the PCs strive to win the Sault riding, which has not been held by the Tories since 1985.
“For 14 years we have watched as this government has wasted billions and billions of dollars in waste, scandal and mismanagement,” Romano said.
“I look at my children today and I’m afraid for them.”
“I’m afraid of what the future is going to bring for them, will our city be able to provide something for them?”
“It makes me mad and it should make you mad too,” Romano told the audience.
“For too long we have been given nothing but broken election promises,” Romano said, stating the Sault must be a community where businesses can not only survive, but thrive.
Each candidate was asked what can be done to provide jobs and prosperity for Saultites.
Amaroso, a former Sault mayor and city councillor, said it is vital to vote Liberal in the June 1 byelection to ensure the Sault is represented at Premier Kathleen Wynne’s government table.
“The Liberal government has earmarked a billion dollars for the development of the Ring of Fire. It will provide a hundred plus years of development and revenue for our community and other northern Ontario communities,” Amaroso said, agreeing with the need for an access road into the Ring of Fire area through consultation with First Nations communities and the need for a smelter to be located in Sault Ste. Marie.
“We have the workforce to support it,” Amaroso said.
Likewise, the NDP’s Krmpotich said it is essential to establish a Ring of Fire smelter in the Sault.
“This is 350 to 400 good paying jobs…we need to get those kind of jobs back in Sault Ste. Marie so our young people can grow and build their families right here.”
Krmpotich, United Steelworkers Local 2251’s union coordinator, said a healthy Essar Steel Algoma is still key to addressing many of the Sault’s challenges, also reiterating his party’s pledge to lower hydro rates and stop privatization of Hydro One.
Also present, but not on the podium, were Kara Flannigan, the Green Party’s candidate for the June 1 byelection, and a candidate known as Above ZNoneofthe of the None of the Above Party (formerly known as Sheldon Bergson).
Flannigan expressed her party’s support for small business, while Above ZNoneofthe criticized the Wynne government for funding announcements and promises made only before elections are called.
Wednesday’s debate was hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce at Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre.
For a video replay of the full debate, click here.