Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Video: Drone captures moment of Capreol building explosion
Drone footage by area resident Nick Lavoie captured the moment a Capreol building exploded on Jan. 24, injuring three volunteer firefighters from the Capreol station. Lavoie’s video, captured before 8 p.m. on Jan. 24, shows three firefighters in front of the building when it explodes, which sent sections of the building’s front exterior falling in their vicinity. As of this morning, a City of Greater Sudbury spokesperson said one firefighter has been discharged from the hospital overnight, and two firefighters remained in hospital for observation. When they were taken to hospital during the evening of Jan. 24, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Craig Lawrence said the three volunteer firefighters received non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Health Sciences North in stable condition. Firefighters were blasting water through the front door of the building when another door to the building was opened and "there was a smoke explosion, knocking the firefighters in front of the building to the ground," Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Craig Lawrence said.
Sudbury institutions worry student cap could devastate post-secondary sector
“Shocking,” “devastating,” and “a shit show” are the words being used to describe the federal government’s move to cap international student enrolment at colleges and universities across the country. The federal government announced several measures Jan. 22 in an effort to stem the explosive growth of international students being brought into Canada by post-secondary institutions, which has caused issues that include pressure on housing. International students are seen as a ready source of cash for post-secondary institutions, as they pay higher tuition fees. The government said this week it will set an intake cap on international student permit applications to stabilize new growth for a period of two years. For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35 per cent from 2023.
Sudbury Cyclones soccer team unveil logo, name coaching staff
In what was described as a “historic” day for the Sudbury Cyclones, the soccer organization revealed its inaugural logo and coaching staff during a media event this week. Held at the Greater Sports Apparel outlet at the New Sudbury Centre, the media event opened with Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment owner Dario Zulich unveiling the team’s logo. “I think that soccer is going to be a major sport in North America in the next few years, and that’s my vision, that’s my prediction,” he said. “It’s going to be unbelievable.” The logo features green, blue, grey and white, and, in keeping with the team’s name, resembles a cyclone. The colours are similar to the Seattle Seahawks’, but the man behind the design said this wasn’t why the shades were selected.
Northern Ontario has been hit hardest by the opioid crisis: CMHA
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in northern Ontario says Northern Ontario has been hit hardest by the opioid crisis. "The opioid epidemic alone shows the importance of focusing on addictions issues in northern Ontario," said Patty MacDonald, CEO, CMHA Sudbury/Manitoulin. “Rates of opioid-related deaths in the five largest cities in the north are more than triple the rest of the province.” In 2022, there were an average of 60.1 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 population in northern Ontario’s five largest cities compared to the provincial average of 17.6. Over the last three months of 2023 alone, there were 107 opioid-related deaths in northern Ontario.
Hospital property’s 530-unit housing proposal ‘in the system’
With Panoramic Properties submitting zoning applications to the City of Greater Sudbury last month, as planned, Mayor Paul Lefebvre told Sudbury.com the company has his confidence. Earlier this week, Sudbury.com reported that there were still no updates from the company on their proposed plans for the long-vacant old hospital building on Paris Street. In a media release issued on Aug. 8, 2023, the Niagara Falls-based company said they’d planned on submitting official plan and zoning applications with the city that year. Sudbury.com reported this week that these applications had yet to appear on planning committee agendas. An inquiry was sent to company president Angelo Butera and Panoramic Properties digital marketing manager Kyle Chiki prior to publication in which an update on the project was sought. This inquiry remains unanswered.
Sudbury.com seeking salary info for new medical officer of health
The process is underway to access information related to the hiring of the new medical officer of health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. As he is paid from the public purse, Sudbury.com, which reported on the recent appointment of Dr. Mustafa Hirji, is seeking information with respect to Hirji's conditions of employment, which would include his salary. The request for information from the health unit was first made in mid-December when Sudbury.com inquired about having an interview with the new public health leader, which he agreed to and shared his opinions with the community. In response to the request for the employment conditions, the PHSD communication office refused. "Thank you for your inquiry. Employment contracts are personal and confidential, and therefore we are unable to provide you with these details," said the email response.
