Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation Sign Historic Agreement to Unlock the Ring of Fire

Image Credit: Ford Nation

A new chapter in northern development and Indigenous partnership was formally launched in Toronto as Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation signed a landmark Community Partnership Agreement designed to accelerate access to the Ring of Fire and strengthen long-term economic opportunities for both the community and the province.

Standing alongside Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Greg Rickford, Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum joined Premier Doug Ford in confirming a framework that will move the Community Access Road forward. The all-season route, commonly referred to as the MFCAR, is expected to connect the remote First Nation to Ontario’s broader highway network, creating safer, more reliable access to essential services while laying the foundation for future industrial and economic development tied to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.

The agreement outlines a clear path toward construction beginning as early as August 202, pending a submission of its final environmental assessment by February 20, 2026, on an expedited timeline. Pending regulatory approvals and the resolution of overlapping federal assessments, the project will transition from planning to construction, marking a major milestone for a community that has long relied on seasonal winter roads and air transport as its primary connections to the rest of the province.

Premier Ford called the agreement a turning point in Ontario’s plan to unlock the economic power of the Ring of Fire, a vast region covering roughly 8,000 square kilometres and believed to contain some of Canada’s most valuable deposits of critical minerals. He emphasized that the agreement is not just about roads, but about creating long-term prosperity, strengthening supply chains, and positioning Ontario as a global player in the critical minerals sector at a time of increasing international competition.

For Marten Falls First Nation, the agreement goes far beyond infrastructure. A commitment of up to $39.5 million will be provided to the community to help support urgent local priorities, including housing, community infrastructure, equipment, materials, and economic development initiatives. Portions of the funding will be aligned with the winter road season to allow supplies to be transported efficiently, while additional funds will be released upon completion of key environmental milestones.

Chief Achneepineskum described the agreement as a significant step toward reconciliation and self-determined development. He reflected on years of effort invested in environmental assessments and planning, emphasizing that the road represents more than just transportation. It is a symbol of recognition, partnership, and shared responsibility for building a better future. He highlighted that the vision has always been to develop both the road and the community simultaneously, ensuring that Marten Falls has the capacity, infrastructure, and readiness to fully benefit from the changes ahead.

The agreement also reaffirms a shared commitment to the proposed Northern Road Link, which would connect the Community Access Road to the Webequie Supply Road and ultimately to the Ring of Fire itself. This integrated network is expected to serve as a backbone for future development, unlocking access to mineral projects while also improving quality of life for northern and Indigenous communities.

Minister Rickford framed the partnership as part of an evolving nation-to-nation approach guided by trust, respect, and mutual priorities. He acknowledged that this agreement is one of several signed in 2025 as part of a broader provincial strategy aimed at ensuring that First Nations are not only consulted, but are direct partners in, and beneficiaries of, large-scale infrastructure and resource development.

Marten Falls First Nation, an Anishinaabe community located approximately 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay at the confluence of the Albany and Ogoki Rivers, remains accessible primarily by air, with winter roads offering limited seasonal access. The construction of a permanent, all-season route represents a transformational shift in mobility, safety, and economic potential for its residents.

The agreement also aligns with Ontario’s larger Critical Minerals Strategy, which seeks to establish an end-to-end supply chain within the province, from mining and refining to manufacturing. Through a mix of loans, grants, and scholarships, nearly $3.1 billion has been earmarked to support Indigenous equity participation, workforce development, and long-term ownership opportunities connected to mineral and infrastructure projects.

Recent complementary investments, including funding for Geraldton’s Main Street Rehabilitation Project and previous agreements with Aroland and Webequie First Nations, reinforce Ontario’s vision of creating interconnected northern hubs that can support industry, communities, and sustainable growth for generations to come.

As Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation move forward together, the agreement stands as more than a construction plan. It represents a renewed relationship built on shared ambition, mutual respect, and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of development flow first to the communities whose lands and futures are most closely tied to it.