Road to Ring of Fire reaches milestone as Marten Falls submits environmental assessment

Marten Falls First Nation has submitted the final environmental assessment for a proposed 184-kilometre all-season community access road to link the community to Ontario's highway network, and the assessment will be reviewed by provincial and federal agencies with a public comment period open until April 10.

Marten Falls First Nation has submitted the final environmental assessment for a proposed 184-kilometre all-season community access road that would connect the remote northern Ontario community to the provincial highway network. The submission was announced jointly by the First Nation and the provincial government and follows years of planning, technical studies and consultation with Indigenous communities and the public. The province previously signed a community partnership agreement in November 2025 that provided up to $39.5 million for community infrastructure while supporting development of the road. The project is discussed in the context of regional development in the Ring of Fire and longstanding community priorities for reliable year-round access. Key details: - The community submitted the final environmental assessment for the proposed 184-kilometre all-season road. - The road would link Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario's provincial highway network north of Nakina. - Ontario signed a partnership agreement in November 2025 providing up to $39.5 million for community infrastructure while supporting the road. - The environmental assessment will be reviewed by the provincial Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, with a public comment period running until April 10. - Pending regulatory approvals, construction could begin as early as August 2026. - The Ring of Fire region holds significant critical mineral deposits; the province has estimated regional development could add $22 billion and 70,000 jobs. Summary: The submission marks a milestone in efforts to provide year-round road access and to address long-standing community challenges such as housing, food costs and access to services. The environmental assessment review and public comment period are the next formal steps; pending regulatory approvals, construction could begin as early as August 2026.