Today in Question Period, Gilles Bisson asked how anyone can have confidence in anything the Minister of Northern Development and Mines says after he failed in retaining the smelter-refinery in Timmins. Bisson questioned statements made by Michael Gravelle to northern Ontario Mayors that the government is committed to the ring of fire project.

“At that particular meeting, there were many questions in regards to the whole issue of processing ores in Ontario. In that particular bear pit that you’re involved in, you alluded that your government was going to ensure that, in fact, refining and smelting happened out of the Ring of Fire.”

Bisson wants to know how the government can make promises knowing that companies have already indicated that they’re not going to be processing ore in Ontario.

“I heard the word “committed”; I heard the word “discussion”—all of which didn’t mount up to anything when it came to stopping the closure of the Xstrata refinery-smelter in the city of Timmins”

Bisson says it’s hard to have any faith in the Liberals when they have constantly stood on the sidelines and watched forestry and mining companies close up operations in the north.

“Why should we have any more confidence in your government, when you are not able to hang onto the very refinery-smelter that is operating in Ontario now, to do a better job when it comes to ensuring that at the very least, when the Ring of Fire goes forward, refining and smelting continues in Ontario? Why should we have any confidence in you?”