Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.
‘A big league contribution’
When Stan Bharti was offered a job at Falconbridge in 1981, he had no idea where Sudbury was.The Indian immigrant had been living in Vancouver with his family, where he was working as an engineer.
Falconbridge, now owned by Xstrata, had offered him a $21,000-a-year salary, a $3,000-a-year raise from his salary in Vancouver. His co-workers regaled him with stories of “moon country,” as Sudbury was known at the time.
“My wife and I and our two kids jumped in the car and drove to Sudbury for four days,” said Bharti, who went on to live in the city for more than 15 years. When their furniture arrived at their new home, the driver wanted a $2,000 certified cheque. “The problem was, I didn’t have $2,000,” he said.
“I called the human resources department at Falconbridge, and they said they needed to see the receipt first. Finally, I called my new boss. He said, ‘I’ll lend you the money.’ That’s our beginning in Sudbury.”