June 30, 2011 – Republic of Mining

Livio Di Matteo is Professor of Economics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Visit his new Economics Blog “Northern Economist” at http://ldimatte.shawwebspace.ca/

The most recent point of comparison between Ontario’s Northern Growth Plan and Quebec’s Plan Nord lies in the difference in marketing. Quebec’s Premier Jean Charest is in Europe promoting Quebec’s economic development as well as Quebec’s Plan Nord. He will be visiting England, Belgium and Germany during the course of this week promoting Quebec but more importantly promoting northern economic development in the mining and resource sectors.

Of course, Quebec”s plan is quite easy to market given the dynamic and assertive nature of its language and content. Charest says that the Plan Nord could lead to 11 new mining projects during the next few years as well as 80 billion dollars in public and private investment. Charest is also planning to visit China and Japan this month to promote the Plan Nord.

On the other hand, Ontario is not promoting its northern development and its Northern Growth Plan in as engaged a fashion as Quebec. Why? Well, Ontario’s plan for the most part is a rather bland collection of plans to engage in further planning. It is difficult to market boring platitudes in a manner that does not put your audience to sleep. While Northern Ontario politicians have to sit through provincial government summits and seminars that endlessly repeat the same empty statements in order to demonstrate their fealty to Queen’s Park, international financiers and politicians would simply leave the room.

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association members Dumas Contracting and Goldcorp facilitated the training and graduation of eight First Nations residents from a four month training program recently. All graduates will be starting work with either Dumas or Goldcorp. The ceremony in Timmins followed the recent mining academy graduation of six students at the Young-Davidson mine near Kirkland Lake involving Dumas and Northgate Minerals.

The training in Timmins was carried out by Dumas in a partnership program with Wabun Tribal Council, the Matachewan Aboriginal Access to Mine Jobs Training Strategy (MAATS) and Goldcorp. Steve LaRocque (Matachewan First Nation) graduated as a heavy duty mechanic apprentice and Natasha Lefebre (Metis affiliation) completed her orientation as a human resources assistant.

The other six graduates completed training in basic underground mining – Courtney Batisse and Paul Denomme (Matachewan First Nation), Steve Denomme (Matachewan First Nation affiliate), Jean Loiselle (Mattagami First Nation), Paul Minarik (Mattagami First Nation affiliate) and David Tookate (Attawapiskat First Nation).

Northern Asymmetry: Comparisons Between Ontario and Quebec Attitudes to Northern Development – by Livio Di Matteo (June 28, 2011)

Dumas Contracting and Goldcorp graduate more First Nations miners