As Vales strike continues, impact on economy in Sudbury grows
The strike by 2,504 workers at Vale for the past 58 days has taken millions of dollars out of Sudbury's economy, says a retired economics professor from Laurentian University.
"Pick the number -- $100,000 a year between salaries, bonuses, benefits and so on," said Dr. David Robinson. "Just multiply those out – (after) two months, it's in the range of $50 million."
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, which represents 700 businesses from many sectors including retail, restaurants and mining supply companies, said Wednesday their members are hurting, as well.
"Vale relies on an extended supply chain of good and service providers," said Neil Milner, the chair of the board of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
"When Vale isn't operating and consuming those services or supplies, local businesses see a drop in their normal business and that has an impact on their bottom line."
Milner said chamber members are staying quiet during the dispute, but are hoping for a positive outcome sooner rather than later.
"Sudbury business economy has been impacted by COVID-19 and we know that the businesses in town were looking forward to recovery," he said. "Any labour dispute will have an impact on the local business community."
Robinson said the economic impact of the pandemic could be making the financial impact of the strike less noticeable.
"This is sort of interesting because the timing," he said. "The COVID thing is going down, the problem is going down, while the union problem is going up. So I don't know that too many businesses are noticing very much of the strike effect yet."
The union representing workers on strike at Vale confirms both sides are still at the bargaining table trying to reach a deal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.