Province has rejected mining inquiry, USW says

The province has officially rejected calls from thousands of Ontarians for a comprehensive public inquiry into mine safety, according to a press release from the United Steelworkers (USW).

A senior government source has informed the USW the province will announce plans for a "review" of mining practices that falls far short of the scope and standards of a commission of inquiry.

The Liberals' plan for a review is expected to be announced by Labour Minister Yasir Naqvi as early as this week, the press release said.

According to media reports, the Steelworkers are in Toronto Aug. 15 to meet with Naqvi in an attempt to get the province to reverse its position.

"Thousands of Ontarians have signed a petition demanding a mine safety inquiry because they understand what's at stake," said Marty Warren, the USW's Ontario director.

"They understand that too many miners have been killed and maimed on the job since the last inquiry was held three decades ago. They understand that the industry has changed dramatically since that time.

“They understand that anything short of an inquiry is an injustice to miners who continue to be killed and injured at work.

"A review will not have the scope, authority and effectiveness of an inquiry. It will not have an inquiry's power to thoroughly and publicly examine the industry, to compel testimony and evidence gathering and to bring about meaningful change."

A petition campaign calling for an inquiry was launched following the June 8, 2011, deaths of Sudbury miners Jordan Fram and Jason Chenier.

Family members of other miners killed at work also joined a citizens' committee created to demand the provincial government immediately convene a commission of inquiry.

"A review is an unacceptable alternative to an inquiry. It's a disgrace that this government believes it can placate miners, our families and our communities with its watered-down plan for a review," said Steelworkers Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand.

"We should not have to endure more deaths and injuries, we should not have to wait any longer, for the Wynne government to do the right thing. Instead, this government proposes a cynical plan to push public demands for an inquiry onto the back burner.

"The government did the right thing when it called a public inquiry into the deaths of two people at a collapsed shopping mall in Elliot Lake," he said.

"But this same government is stubbornly saying ‘no' to the families and co-workers of the scores of miners who have been killed and the thousands who have been injured since the last inquiry was held in this province.

The Steelworkers said Naqvi will create a legislative review committee to consult with industry "stakeholders," visit mining communities and review reports of previous inquiries and commissions.

"The government will come out with a feel-good announcement to make it appear that it is taking meaningful action. In reality, their plan shortchanges miners, their families and communities," said Warren.

"There already is support for an inquiry from the New Democratic Party and the Progressive Conservative Party," Bertrand noted.

"We urge the Liberal government to reconsider its position and do the right thing — call a public inquiry that is long overdue."