In a news release Friday, Sudbury Liberal candidate Paul Lefebvre said in a second term, he will keep working to expand Sudbury’s reputation as a global centre of mining innovation and as a research hub for low-carbon and energy storage technology.
Over the past four years, as Sudbury’s MP and as the Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, the release said Lefebvre has taken every opportunity to promote Sudbury’s mining expertise on the global stage.
“The Liberal government, through FedNor, through the Strategic Investment Fund and through NSERC, has invested more than $100 million in research and innovation directly in Sudbury’s burgeoning mining and tech sector,” Lefebvre is quoted as saying in the release. “These investments have cemented Sudbury’s role as Canada’s mining research hub.”
Moving away from carbon-based energy will require many of the metals we produce right here in Sudbury and Northern Ontario. Batteries and smart grid technology require nickel, copper, cobalt and precious metals.
“This means the world needs our resources more than ever,” Lefebvre said in the release. “And above all, the world needs these resources to be produced sustainably. That’s where Sudbury comes in. Every chance I get in Ottawa, I say Canada and the world needs more of Sudbury. That’s something I will continue to do with pride.”
Over his next mandate, Lefebvre said he will work to leverage these resources and skills in Sudbury to play a role in the next generation of green tech in Canada.
“The first all-electric mine in Canada recently opened just north of Sudbury, and every piece of equipment in it was designed and built in Sudbury,” Lefebvre said.
“That technology has applications for industry all over the world, and it’s based right here in Sudbury.”
Sudbury’s economy has never been stronger, Lefebvre said, and now is the time to start preparing for the high tech, renewable energy jobs of the future so that Sudbury continues to play a leading role in Canada’s and the world’s transition to a low-carbon future.
