Ontario inks $40M deal to develop Ring of Fire access road

Key Takeaways:

• Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation have formalized a partnership to build the all-season access road, with up to $39.5 million in provincial funding tied to environmental assessment milestones.
• The road will connect Marten Falls to the provincial highway network and the future Northern Road Link, positioning the region for major economic growth tied to Ring of Fire critical minerals.
• The agreement reflects a broader provincial strategy to support Indigenous partnerships and regional infrastructure, aligning with similar deals and billions committed to Indigenous equity in critical mineral development.

The Whole Story:

Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation have signed a Community Partnership Agreement to develop the all-season Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), with construction to begin in August 2026. The province will provide up to $39.5 million to support community infrastructure and road development, pending environmental assessment completion by February 20, 2026.

The MFCAR will connect Marten Falls First Nation—a remote Anishinaabe community approximately 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay—to Ontario’s provincial highway network and serve as a key link to the proposed Northern Road Link (NRL) leading to the Ring of Fire critical minerals region.

For contractors and infrastructure developers, the agreement signals a major investment in Northern Ontario transportation infrastructure tied to critical mineral development. The road network is expected to unlock economic activity across the region and support supply chain development for Ontario’s mining sector.

Premier Doug Ford said the agreement represents “a landmark moment in our plan to unleash the economic benefits of the Ring of Fire, bringing prosperity to Northern Ontario and creating 70,000 jobs across our province.”

The $39.5 million investment will flow in two phases. An initial tranche will align with the winter 2025–26 road season to transport materials for urgent community priorities and infrastructure. Remaining funding will be released upon Marten Falls submitting its final environmental assessment, supporting additional community infrastructure and local procurement.

Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum said the agreement reflects deeper partnership beyond road construction. “We are very excited for what this agreement represents, because it is not just an agreement that starts to move the Marten Falls Community Access Road towards construction, but it also represents a real and deeper partnership between Marten Falls and Ontario,” he said. “This includes a commitment to build infrastructure in the community and start community readiness projects to prepare for the work ahead.”

Construction is subject to federal government ending “duplicative impact assessments in the region,” according to the province. Ontario has also committed to advancing the Northern Road Link, which will connect the MFCAR to the Webequie Supply Road and the Ring of Fire.

The agreement complements similar partnerships signed this year with Aroland First Nation (January 2025) and Webequie First Nation (October 2025). Ontario is investing nearly $3.1 billion through loans, grants and scholarships to support Indigenous equity and partnership in critical mineral and infrastructure development.