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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.