Under the title of "Supporting Economic Development Opportunities," Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford was in Azilda and downtown Sudbury on Jan. 16 to announce more than $7.3 million in spending on a number of economic development initiatives in what might be seen as a pre-election style appearance.
“Building a strong, connected Northern Ontario means investing in the people, businesses, and communities that fuel regional growth,” said Rickford during a speech at the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 2486 building and training centre at 159 Marier St.
Wearing an open-neck white shirt with sleeves rolled up, the veteran cabinet minister from Kenora–Rainy River, who is also the chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), reminded the group that since the Conservatives came to power in 2018, the Northern Ontario economic development agency has invested more than $864 million on some 7,000 projects.
Doubling down on the announcement by Premier Doug Ford about the importance of economic partnerships, Rickford said government spending in the North was vital in terms of securing the supply chain "in the trades, business, industry, mining and forestry, as the province of Ontario, in the context of Fortress Am-Can to make sure that Ontario takes its rightful place with all of Northern Ontario in these new opportunities."
It was on Monday that Ford talked about Fortress Am-Can as he spoke about creating a new economic alliance with the United States prior to the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump, who has talked about implementing 25 per cent trade tariffs.
Ford said the resource industries of Northern Ontario, especially in extracting and processing critical minerals, would be essential to maintaining the economic strength of both the U.S. and Ontario, which is America's third largest trading partner.
Rickford announced the first project as $2 million being provided to the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 2486 Building Corporation, located in Azilda, to transform its current office space into classrooms, as well as build a new facility that will house a training auditorium to double training capacity.
The other six NOHFC initiatives are funding the following projects:
- $793,633 and $675,275 for Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Inc., located in Naughton, to purchase specialized drilling equipment to establish a First Nation-owned mining supply and service company;
- $450,065 for Wahnapitae First Nation to revitalize and enhance its cultural grounds with landscaping and structural improvements to the arbour and seating area;
- $199,168 for Nickel City Cheese to establish an artisan cheese factory in Chelmsford;
- $198,538 for the Local Services Board of Cartier to purchase and assemble a new energy efficient prefabricated recreation centre;
- $166,755 for the Capreol Curling Club to purchase and install an energy efficient ice plant; and
- $114,265 for Mattagami First Nation to purchase and install a greenhouse that will grow fresh produce year-round and improve food security.
Also, as part of his visit to the city, Rickford visited the downtown Sudbury office of RIINO, a firm specializing in mining materials haulage.
Rickford announced that RIINO would be allocated $2 million in funding for the development of a new electric-powered rail haulage system, that would be using new technology to establish enhanced underground mining railway systems.
Rickford said the money is 25 per cent of the full cost of a new $7.9-million, zero-emission monorail system.
“You know the rest of the world can play catch up. They’ve got to get with the times. Our mining operations are moving to electrification faster than anybody,” said Rickford.
Altogether Rickford announced details for an additional $2.8 million worth of funding in Sudbury, which included:
- $353,659 for B.S.K. Machine Shop to purchase a new computer numerical control (CNC) machine to replace its outdated machinery, purchase new tooling components to maintain the equipment, and train employees on the new equipment;
- $222,150 for Sparrow Health Inc. to develop an online patient portal that connects patients with their physician and is integrated with their physician’s electronic medical record (EMR) system;
- $171,750 for Kivi Park Community Foundation to improve its storage and visitor seating areas, install a water fountain/bottle filling station, build a reading and programming pavilion, purchase accessibility equipment for use by park visitors, and purchase a side-by-side trail groomer; and
- $63,763 for Dr. Daniela Filippone Medicine Professional Corporation to create a new medical facility that will offer services to address common head and neck symptoms in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
Rickford closed off his announcement by saying he was pleased to be back in Sudbury and said the coming six months would be an interesting time, politically.
“I'm just going to tell you that it's extraordinary to be back here in Sudbury in the new year, kicking off what's going to be a crazy year in politics, most of it occurring starting today, and likely up until the beginning of June,” he said.
Len Gillis covers mining and health care for Sudbury.com.
