Timmins MPP talks the future of mining in the north
George Pirie, the Ontario's Minister of Mines and MPP for Timmins, gave his first state of mining address for his new role at a Timmins Chamber of Commerce event Friday.
Pirie, the former mayor of Timmins, is not new to talking about mining; but says he will now have a hand in helping the region and the province lead the charge in building Canada's green economy through critical minerals.
This was a key topic he covered during the address; Canada and Ontario are doubling down on critical minerals to grow the country’s green energy economy, amid energy pressures due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"You can't be green without mining. If we're going to transform our economy, we have to mine. The minerals have to come out of the ground and Canadian miners are the best the world of getting this done sustainably, ethically," Pirie said.
Pirie also boasted an estimated three billion dollars worth of economic mining activity in the north–and highlighting expansions in Sudbury, Kirkland Lake and Wawa as examples of how the local industry is growing.
But Pirie said the region needs to be more aggressive in bringing new critical mineral projects to fruition.
"I think mining is going to be huge for Timmins and there's a ton of expansion there, so I'm really excited to have somebody that's going to lead the charge and really, I think, make a difference," said one of the event’s attendees.
Many people in attendance said the urgency is nice to hear and projects need to develop in a reasonable amount of time.
On the topic of new mining projects, amid news of IAMGOLD's Cote Mine delaying its opening to 2024–Pirie thinks it's too big to fail and believes the company can follow through.
"The project is–it'll happen, it's 20 million ounces in the ground. At any rate, I think they've moved in the right direction, from an operational point of view, I won't talk about that. But the asset itself is huge," Pirie added.
Pirie has said since his term as mayor that he believes Timmins and area can be home to the future of critical mineral development. He said he thinks that the region has what the world needs, as long as stakeholders bridge the gaps between northern and southern Ontario and take those resources to the world stage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.