The Ring of Fire: Road Projects and Legal Implications
Ontario’s Ring of Fire is a mineral-rich region 500 km northeast of Thunder Bay, poised for major development. Yet it remains inaccessible by road. Two major infrastructure projects aim to change that—and raise significant land use and legal questions in the process.
Marten Falls Community Access Road
The Marten Falls Community Access Road (MF-CAR) is a proposed 190–230 km all-season road connecting the Marten Falls First Nation to the provincial highway network. A Draft Environmental Assessment and Impact Statement was released in February 2025, identifying a preferred route starting near Painter Lake Road.
Northern Road Link
The Northern Road Link (NRL) would connect MF-CAR to the Ring of Fire and the Webequie Supply Road. Its projected length is 117–164 km, though no final alignment or road design has been confirmed. It remains in the early stages of environmental assessment and public consultation.
Legal Context
Both projects involve significant Crown land, traditional Indigenous territories, and potentially private land interests. Environmental reviews are ongoing, and no expropriations have yet been announced—but land acquisition processes could follow as alignments are finalized.
Key legal concerns include:
- Consultation with Indigenous communities under constitutional and statutory obligations;
- Potential expropriations or negotiated land access;
- Compensation for landowners, including for disturbance or injurious affection.
Our firm continues to monitor developments and the legal landscape surrounding these projects closely. If you own land or hold interests in the affected areas, staying informed will be critical as route finalization approaches.