Ontario announces Justice Iacobucci as Ring of Fire negotiator

The Ontario government has appointed Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci as lead negotiator for discussions with Matawa First Nations on the Ring of Fire.
Iacobucci, who most recently completed a report on the lack of First Nations representation on juries in Ontario, is tasked with holding community-based discussions with chiefs of the Matawa First Nations and their lead negotiator Bob Rae.
“I am honoured to accept this post,” said Iacobucci in a press release. “I feel passionately about involving First Nations in decisions about development in their communities and traditional lands and ensuring they benefit from the economic opportunities to be realized from devevelopment in the Ring of Fire.”
According to an Ontario press release, Iacobucci hopes to be invited to visit the Matawa First Nation communities closest to the proposed developments in the Ring of Fire before starting more formal negotiations.
The press release stated that Iacobucci will look to address environmental protection and monitoring, regional infrastructure planning and development, resource revenue sharing and social and economic supports.
Iacobucci will report directly to the minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, and will be supported by the Ring of Fire Secretariat.
“The Ring of Fire is a wonderful opportunity for Ontario to create jobs and grow its regional economies, but it is vital that we work with First Nations communities to make sure this development brings long-term, sustainable benefits,” said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in a statement. “(Iacobucci’s) expertise as a negotiator and experience with First Nations communities in northern Ontario is a tremendous asset to this important process.”
Matawa has announced that former Liberal leader and former Ontario premier Bob Rae will serve as the tribal council’s chief negotiator on the Ring of Fire.