Construction manager will oversee project, helping unlock access to the Ring of Fire five years ahead of schedule
| NEWS | September 29, 2026 |
WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION — The Ontario government has awarded a contract for construction manager of the Webequie Supply Road, marking another significant milestone in the province’s plan to protect Ontario by unlocking access to the Ring of Fire five years sooner than originally planned. Earlier this year, the province broke ground on the 107-kilometre all-season road that will connect Webequie First Nation to the Ring of Fire and serve as a vital link for mineral development, cementing Ontario’s position as a world leader in the critical minerals sector.
“In partnership with Webequie First Nation, our government is building the highway infrastructure needed to improve services and economic opportunities in the north and protect workers by unlocking Ontario’s vast supply of critical minerals,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “We’re delivering on our promise to protect Ontario, creating thousands of jobs and working in partnership with First Nations.”
The Ring of Fire road network, including the Webequie Supply Road, will connect the Ring of Fire to First Nations communities across the region, improving access to services and economic opportunity by providing the community its first all-season road access to the rest of Ontario. The road is scheduled to open by November 2030, providing access to critical minerals that will generate billions of dollars in economic opportunities while supporting good-paying jobs in Ontario’s mining sector.
“The Webequie Supply Road is a vision led by our community, for our community, and the selection of a construction manager is a step forward in making that vision a reality,” said Chief Lorraine Whitehead. “This road is more than year-round access; it is about creating opportunity, strengthening our community, and ensuring that Webequie leads and benefits from any development happening in our territory. We look forward to continuing our work with Ontario to ensure this project delivers lasting and meaningful benefits for our community and generations to come”.
The Ring of Fire represents a generational opportunity to create 70,000 jobs and add $22 billion to the province’s economy over the next 30 years, establishing Ontario as a critical minerals superpower on the global stage and securing the province’s long-term prosperity.
“As we mark milestones on the Corridor to Shared Prosperity, the leadership of Chief Whitehead and the entire community of Webequie First Nation continues to be on full display,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships. “The Webequie Supply Road represents an extraordinary opportunity to build the legacy infrastructure needed to responsibly develop the region while aligning with the leadership and the priorities of Webequie First Nation.”
Last year, the province and Webequie First Nation signed a Community Partnership Agreement to accelerate construction of the supply road, creating lasting opportunities for economic growth and providing critical support and benefits for the community.
Quick Facts
- Sigfusson Northern LTD has been awarded the construction manager contract for the Webequie Supply Road.
- In June, the province started working on major upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads, which will serve as critical connections between the provincial highway network and the Ring of Fire.
- In August, provincial and federal approval was received for the construction of the Marten Falls Community Access Road, the longest segment in the Ring of Fire road network.
- The province has started work on the Municipality of Greenstone’s Geraldton Main Street Rehabilitation Project, a key gateway leading to the Ring of Fire.
- In March, the province released a plan to accelerate construction of more than 500 kilometres of all-season roads leading to the Ring of Fire.
Quotes
“For nearly 20 years, the Ring of Fire has been known as one of Canada’s most significant mineral opportunities, yet previous governments allowed it to become a symbol of untapped potential. Today, our government is doing what no others could by advancing the roads, infrastructure and partnerships needed to unlock it five years ahead of schedule. We are working in true partnership with First Nations to unlock critical minerals and connect Northern communities, while creating a new economic region that could support more than 70,000 jobs and add $22B to Ontario’s economy. For Northern families, that means essential services closer to home and more opportunities for young people to build their futures here at home.”
– Stephen Lecce
Minister of Energy and Mines