Province says work could begin “as soon as August 2026” as project moves into formal review stage

TORONTO — Marten Falls First Nation has submitted the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road, a milestone Ontario says keeps the project on track for construction to start as early as August 2026.

Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, Greg Rickford, released a statement Friday congratulating the First Nation on the submission, tying the timing to Ontario’s recently signed cooperation agreement with the federal government intended to align review processes for Ring of Fire-related projects.

What the road would do

Linking a fly-in community to Ontario’s highway network

The proposed Community Access Road would connect Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario’s provincial highway network, a move the province says would improve year-round access and support economic development opportunities and quality of life in the community.

The project is also a key piece of the broader plan to build an all-season route toward the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in the James Bay Lowlands that has been the focus of renewed infrastructure and critical-mineral discussions in recent years.

What an EA submission means

Review comes next — not a final approval

Submitting an EA is an important step, but it is not the same as approval to build. Marten Falls First Nation has indicated the final EA/Impact Statement and supporting documents will now be reviewed by Ontario and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, with feedback from Indigenous communities and the public considered as regulators determine whether the submission meets requirements. Additional permits and approvals would still be needed before construction can begin.

Ontario has emphasized that its cooperation agreement with the federal government is meant to reduce duplication and clarify how provincial and federal reviews proceed for projects in the Ring of Fire region.

Economic stakes and regional impact

Ontario highlights jobs and GDP projections

In its statement, the province again pointed to its estimate that Ring of Fire development could add $22 billion and support 70,000 jobs in Ontario, framing the project as a long-term opportunity for northern communities.

For Northwestern Ontario, any major construction push toward the Ring of Fire typically raises questions about procurement, workforce training, and supply-chain opportunities—including the potential role of Thunder Bay-areabusinesses that serve northern infrastructure and mining activity.

What happens next

Key near-term steps to watch

• Provincial and federal agencies review the submitted EA/Impact Statement materials.

• Public and Indigenous community input is incorporated as regulators assess whether requirements have been met.

• If approved and permitted, Ontario says construction could begin as early as August 2026.