And good input it is, Thank you, however:
"yes the federal liberals have committed the billion dollars to the Ring of Fire"
Oh, where did you see that because I did not. Federal Liberals? Did you mean Conservatives? Could it be that this was mentioned so often that you now assume as given?
As for that federal fund, with the exception of perhaps Alberta, all the provinces have complained about difficulty in getting funding from it, not just Ontario.
We would be lucky indeed if Ontario is selling Hydro just for our benefit of funding. I am very pessimistic on that. I highly doubt that money will be allocated to the Ring but will go into general coffers i.e. paying off old (high interest) debts?.
The money for the Ring will most likely come when needed from New loans which bear current and much lower interest.
Of course jobs and services to all but I mention Webequie because they are the nearest community to the Ring so they may have a valid argument that the land of the Ring is for 'Their' use and so some monetery or royalty type compensention may be justified. We have to be aware that this could end up in court some day and a judge could decide that is the case.
However the communities along future E/W road do not have that justification imo, hence no compensation to them, nor to all of Matawa, should be allowed. As you say they want it all and I think Matawa want their foot in the door so that All of them see pay outs.
