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Ontario and Webequie First Nation have signed a new Community Partnership Agreement aimed at advancing road construction and economic development connected to the Ring of Fire mineral region in northern Ontario.
The deal, announced Tuesday, provides up to $39.5 million for community infrastructure, social supports, and early work on the proposed all-season Webequie Supply Road.
The agreement outlines next steps toward the completion of an Environmental Assessment for the road, which Webequie First Nation expects to submit in early 2026. If approved, construction could begin as soon as June 2026, pending federal review decisions. The new route would connect the remote community to the provincial road network and the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich area about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation said the agreement represents an important milestone in self-directed development for his community. “The Webequie Supply Road is more than a road – it’s a pathway to opportunity, access and growth on our terms,” he said.
Premier Doug Ford described the agreement as “a massive milestone” that he said would bring new economic opportunities to northern Ontario. Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford added that the partnership reflects “the next important chapter of First Nations economic reconciliation.”
In addition to the new road funding, Ontario’s investment will help rebuild Webequie’s airport, construct a new multipurpose facility, and support mental health and social programs. The province says the project is part of a broader plan to expand critical mineral development while creating long-term economic partnerships with First Nations communities across northern Ontario.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
