The provincial cabinet minister now in charge of mines says he’ll be drawing a lot on the experience and knowledge of his predecessor.
Stephen Lecce was given mines as part of his portfolio along with energy, while Timmins MPP George Pirie was named northern economic development and growth minister.
Lecce says Premier Doug Ford designed things so that his ministry will secure energy while Pirie will secure “the prosperity corridor”.
“I’ll be leaning on him for advice as I have been,” states Lecce, “building out a future around how to move along and accelerate development in our mining in a responsible manner.”
Pirie has extensive private sector experience in mining. Lecce says he and Pirie need to work together.
“Now is our time as a country to rise together, stand together and fight back,” he says. “I’m not threatened by President Trump. I see this as an opportunity and I think by our collaboration we’re going to do a lot of great things for the North and frankly, for Canada.”
Lecce adds that the close personal relationship and the relationship between his and Pirie’s ministries will unleash Northern Ontario’s potential.
