Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Thursday morning.
Missing city councillor’s truck last seen travelling westbound
A residential video surveillance camera captured Michael Vagnini’s truck travelling westbound on McCharles Lake Road, between Whitefish and Naughton, at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 27. This, Greater Sudbury Police Service noted in a media release issued at 4 p.m. on Jan. 31, is the last verified sighting of the Greater Sudbury city council member for Ward 2. “Based on that information, it is believed that the vehicle and driver may have left the area,” according to the media release. Shortly after 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 27, a vehicle matching the description was captured on video surveillance by a local business on Regional Road 55 west of Highway 24. Although it appeared to be driving eastbound toward Lively, GSPS reported that they cannot confirm it was Vagnini’s truck due in part to the video quality. “Officers continue to canvas residences and businesses in Lively and east of Lively heading towards Greater Sudbury for additional video surveillance footage to confirm whether the vehicle was in fact Michael Vagnini’s,” according to their media release.
Toxic drug crisis 'complex and escalating', report concludes
The toxic drug crisis killing hundreds of people every year and enslaving thousands in addiction is a complex and escalating tragedy, the region’s health unit said today. In a formal report on the Greater Sudbury Summit on Toxic Drugs held in December, 2023, Public Health Sudbury & Districts said while the crisis occurring nationally, it is disproportionately affecting Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario. "Despite the passion and dedication of many Sudbury agencies, leaders, and citizens, the city continues to witness growing numbers of preventable deaths and human suffering related to toxic drugs,” the health unit said in a release that accompanied the full report. Public Health Sudbury and Districts said the best “brains” and “hearts” were invited to the table “to face and collectively plan the community’s path through and out of the crisis," said the report. The detailed 47-page document is titled “Honouring Voices, Embracing Perspectives, Moving Forward: A Summary Report on the Greater Sudbury Summit on Toxic Drugs.”
NOSM: Family medicine crisis far worse in Northern Ontario
NOSM University is about to launch the 2024 president's lecture series, which will focus on the importance of new medical students choosing family medicine as their specialty. An online news conference was held Wednesday to promote the annual event, which is led by NOSM students. The lectures will be held Thursday evening online. Dr. Sarita Verma, the president, vice-chancellor, dean and CEO at NOSM U said the lecture series is directed at medical students, predominantly those in their third and fourth year, and helping them make decisions about their career choices. Verma said it is her belief, and the position at NOSM, that family medicine is a valid and much needed medical choice. "I'm really excited about this because as you know, there is a challenge with physician shortages in Northern Ontario," Verma told the online event.
Science North: Walk on the moon at refreshed Space Place
Science North has announced a major update to its Space Place to reflect the world’s renewed interest in visiting the Moon. The initiative, supported by the Canadian Space Agency, is part of the 2022 "Exhibits to Engage Canadian Youth in Space Science through Hands-on Experiential Learning" funding call for proposals. What this means is the fourth level of Science North is getting a facelift to allow visitors to discover Canada's contributions to space exploration. Existing exhibits on Earth observation, space exploration, and celestial structures will be interspersed with the new and refreshed exhibits, Science North said in a news release. The renewal includes a comprehensive update of the Space Place labs, spotlighting Canada's pivotal role in humanity's return to the Moon through the Artemis Program. Visitors will gain insights into contributions such as Canadarm3 to the Lunar Gateway Space Station, advancements in AI, and lunar rover technology.
Next Climate Action payment coming in mid-April
After receiving their first Climate Action Incentive payment this month, Ontario residents can expect to receive their next payment in three months, on April 15. Payments should have arrived for those who filed their income taxes last year on Jan. 15. Recently boosted by 20 per cent for rural residents, climate payment amounts are $244 for a family of four, $183 for a couple and $122 for an adult living alone. “Despite it being a tax, the federal price on pollution is revenue neutral, meaning the majority of people receive more back than they pay,” said Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré in a news release. The federal government has set a goal to cut emissions by 40-per-cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The feds say pollution pricing will contribute “about a third of the total reductions in emissions that will occur between now and 2030.” While taxes aren’t popular, taxing pollution helps cut emissions and helps fund climate change adaptation measures, the MP said.
Mining industry looks to newcomers to fill workforce gaps
Newcomers to Canada are choosing careers in mining at a lower rate than careers in other sectors, according to a new report from the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR). Yet it’s a demographic that could help alleviate widespread labour shortages in an industry that is predicted to need 80,000 workers by 2030 to meet demand, as older workers retire and demand for metals balloons. The national organization, which works with industry to help identify labour market trends and develop solutions, presented its most recent findings during a Jan. 25 virtual presentation hosted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM). The report — “Support for Newcomer Integration into Canada's Mining Sector” — will be available on the MiHR website shortly. Victoria Burnie, MiHR’s manager of equity, diversity and inclusion, said immigrants are underrepresented across roles within the sector.
