June 21, 2011 – Republic of Mining

POV: Northeastern Ontario municipal leaders have the right idea – by Wayne Snider (The Daily Press – June 21, 2011)

June 21, 2011

Wayne Snider is the city editor for The Daily Press, the city of Timmins newspaper. Contact the writer at news@thedailypress.ca.

In September, community leaders will get together to plan a campaign in hopes of kick starting growth in the region. Members of the Northeastern Ontario Municipal Association (NEOMA) recognize the challenges facing the region and hope to not only stem youth out migration, but find ways to attract more people to the area.

The goal is not only to maintain the lifestyle Northerners have come to love, but use it as a selling point to people sick of the urban jungle. It’s a very proactive approach and, if successful, would increase the tax base and human resources of our little corner of the province.

“Our way of life is critical to who we are as a people,” said Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis at a recent NEOMA session. “We need to stand up and do something about it.

Canada must remain a free-trading [mining] nation – by Pierre Gratton (National Post – June 21, 2011)

June 21, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

Pierre Gratton is president and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC).

In the Northwest Territories, $7-billion has been invested
in northern and aboriginal businesses. This has cut the number
of citizens in the territory requiring income support in half.
Some 26 Aboriginal companies are supplying expertise to N.W.T. diamond mines and are well positioned for future opportunities.
(Pierre Gratton – CEO Mining Association of Canada)

In recent weeks, Canadians have again debated the merits of foreign investment in our industries. I am astonished to read commentators claiming that, despite the fact that natural resources are increasingly central to Canada’s economic trajectory, multinational investment delivers a limited return to Canadians.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If Canada is to seize the opportunity for new mining investment that’s currently before it, we need to welcome investment from every quarter of the planet.

Canada’s mining sector is booming. Commodity prices are at or near record highs, driven in large part by impressive Chinese growth, and the industry is enjoying a period of buoyancy not seen since the years that followed the Second World War. The economic crisis of 2008, from which other sectors of the global economy have not yet recovered, has been left far behind.

Standing together [Sudbury 2011 Workers Mermorial Day] – by Harold Carmichael (Sudbury Star – June 21, 2011)

June 21, 2011

The Sudbury Star, the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper. hcarmichael@thesudburystar.com

Joyce Colasimone did something Monday she had never done before: Talk publicly about the June 20, 1984, rockburst at Falconbridge Mine that claimed the life of husband, Richard Chenier.

“How many people actually stop to think about the rescuers involved?” Colasimone asked a crowd of more than 150 on hand for the 27th Annual Workers Memorial Day ceremonies at the Caruso Club on Monday.

“We call them heroes. Why do we not honour them for rescuing and helping people in accidents? I stand here today to say thanks and I do appreciate the people who responded.

“To the people that have put themselves at risk, I want you to appreciate the bravery within you. You are the true heroes.”