Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Province announces inquest into 2015 death at Sudbury mine:
The province has announced it will conduct an inquiry into the 2015 death of Richard Pigeau. Pigeau, 54, died on Oct. 20, 2015, from injuries sustained while working at Glencore’s Nickel Rim South Mine in Sudbury. An inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act. Pigeau died after he was thrown from, and run over by, an underground vehicle. In 2017, Glencore was fined $200,000 for the incident, after pleading guilty to failing as an employer to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the safety of the worker, contrary to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, specifically to failing to provide sufficient information regarding the use of the seatbelt while operating a load haul dump (LHD). The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Pigeau's death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. The inquest is expected to last five days and hear from 14 witnesses. The inquest will start at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020, at the Sudbury Courthouse, Courtroom A, at 155 Elm St. Dr. David Cameron will preside as inquest coroner and Jeffrey Martin will be counsel to the coroner.
Steelworkers negotiating new contract with Vale:
Steelworkers Local 6500 is in the thick of contract negotiations with Vale. The two sides have been meeting since the beginning of February to hammer out a new contract. The current contract is set to expire May 31. Neither side will be commenting at this time, said Steelworkers vice-president Kevin Boyd. Local 6500 has more than 2,400 members representing production and maintenance workers in mining, milling, smelting and refining at Vale’s Sudbury operations. Steelworkers Local 6200, from Port Colborne, are also in negotiations.
Ramsey Lake Skating Path is open once again:
Greater Sudbury city staff confirmed that the Ramsey Lake Skating Path re-opened Tuesday afternoon. City staff are still working on the ice surface at Queen's Athletic Skating Oval and will update the public as soon as it is suitable for re-opening. Visit www.greatersudbury.ca/arenas for free public skate times at community arenas.
McCarville, Sippala, Lang on board plane that crashed in Dryden:
Northern Ontario curlers Krista McCarville and Ashley Sippala, along with coach Rick Lang, were among six passengers on a Bearskin Airlines flight that crashed on takeoff in Dryden, Ont. on Monday afternoon. McCarville, who arrived safely in Thunder Bay after driving home following the crash, said it was a frightening experience. "It was very scary and we were all shaking, but luckily no serious injuries," McCarville said, reached by text shortly after making it back to Thunder Bay, thanks to her brother-in-law, who drove them halfway home, and Sippala's in-laws, who took them the rest of the way. Lang suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution. He was released and is expected to return home on Tuesday. Another person on board was also taken to hospital as a result of the crash. The curlers were en route from Moose Jaw, Sask., where McCarville's Northern Ontario team made the 3-4 Page Playoff, losing to Ontario's Rachel Homan. Dryden officials on Monday said the plane left the runway on takeoff and noted the Transportation Safety Board had been called in to investigate. A total of eight people, including two crew members, were on board the flight.
Do you have what it takes to be a full-time firefighter?
Think you have what it takes to fight fires? Greater Sudbury Fire Services is currently accepting applications for full-time firefighters. To qualify for consideration, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, be First Aid and CPR certified, have completed Grade 12 and obtain a valid G driver's licence with a good driving record. Individuals who meet the preliminary qualifications will be asked to undergo aptitude, medical, physical and other testing, to qualify for employment. There is a $250 administration fee for every applicant who advances to the testing phase. Those interested in applying are asked to read the information guide and complete an application form online at greatersudbury.ca/fire. Applications will be accpeted until 4:30 p.m. on March 20. Find more information here.
Bidding begins on Rayside Balfour Canadians Jr. Super Mario jerseys:
The Rayside Balfour Canadians will be hosting a Super Mario themed jersey night Thursday, Feb. 27, where fans will have the opportunity to bid on the jersey of their choice in support of Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. Bids for the NOJHL hockey club's jerseys have already started in anticipation for the game, and exceeded $2,500 in donations for NOFCC. Canadians goaltender David Bowen's jersey has already raised $375 in advance bids. “We are very fortunate to have received a number of bids to help get the bidding starting from players’ parents and Greater Sudbury business people interested in supporting the NOFCC on Thursday night, said Brittany Zacerkowny, Canadians marketing manager a news release. “Greater Sudbury and the town of Rayside Balfour are so generous when it comes to supporting others in need.” Thursday's game against the Blind River Beavers begins 7 p.m. at Chelmsford Arena.
Discover: Data science means better info and better info means better mining:
Tuesday's Discover Series features a chat with president and CEO of Symbioticware, Kirk Petroski. With degrees in political science and law, plus an MBA, and you might think Petroski would be CEO and president of some company doing anything but mining related business. The self-described "bush rat" loves being out on the land using compasses, doing line surveys and claim staking. So what is Symboticware? Essentially Symboticware’s products and services unlock information essential for mine operators. “Data is a commodity,” said Petroski. “Having as many touch points is important. It can no longer be yesterday’s numbers that drive immediate and longer-term decision-making.” Get the full story here.
Wednesday Weather:
Hunker down, Sudbury, there's snow in the forecast for Wednesday. Mainly cloudy today with a 40 per cent chance of light snow late in the afternoon. Wednesday's high will be sitting at around -6. Snow is expected throughout the evening with around 5 cm falling tonight and continuing into the morning. Overnight low will be -11, feeling like -21 with the wind chill. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
