Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Sudbury mine operation suspended for 30 days:
The United Steelworkers Union Local 6500 is working fast to try to do whatever they can to help 480 members working at Vale's Coleman Mine in Sudbury that have been temporarily laid off after operations were suspended due to safety concerns. Rick Bertrand, president of the United Steel Workers Local 6500, said this sudden shutdown has been a major disruption, as the number of workers affected represents 20 per cent of the union's membership and the union has been working non-stop ever since to help those members. Full story can be found here.
College students suing as strike drags on:
A class action lawsuit has been launched on behalf of students enrolled at the 24 colleges across Ontario, which cancelled programs and services last month when faculty went on strike. In a news release Tuesday, Toronto law firm Charney Lawyers said the suit began with 14 students who have come forward so far are enrolled in various vocational programs offered by the colleges. An estimated 500,000 students attend college in the province, and the firm has a website where they can join the suit. The lawsuit seeks damages for breach of contract and breach of the Ontario Consumer Protection Act. To date, the colleges have not refunded fees paid to attend the colleges. Full story here.
Child care benefit increases fast tracked to start in July:
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patty Hajdu stopped in Sudbury on Nov. 14 as part of her Northern Ontario tour. The Thunder Bay MP had a full schedule for the day, starting with a visit to the Carpenter's Union in Azilda, followed by a stop at the Atikameksheng Anishnabek band office in Whitefish to announce of nearly $2.6 million for skills training through the Skills Partnership Fund. The minister also made a stop at Laurentian Family and Child Centre to pay a visit to to some little ones and their parents to get them up to speed on the Canada's child benefit's latest changes. In July of 2018, Canada child benefits will be adjusted as the cost of living increases, a move that will occur nearly two years earlier than originally promised. More on this story here.
Sudbury opens another pedestrian crossover:
Ward 1 Councillor Marc Signoretti, representatives from the City of Greater Sudbury and Ward 1 CAN members will be on hand for a ribbon cutting on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m for the new crossover and traffic calming installed on Southview Drive. The new crossover is at the intersection of Southview Drive and Stephens Street. Pedestrian crossovers are a way for pedestrians to cross the road where there are no traffic lights or stop signs. Traffic calming helps to improve neighbourhood livability, increase road user safety and promotes urban development.
Arts and culture organizations invited to submit grant applications:
The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) is putting the call out to arts and culture organizations to complete a grant application for 2018. Reports from 2017 can be found and grant applications for 2018 can be completed online at greatersudburyculture.ca. The deadline for submission of applications and reports is 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Information sessions, which will begin late this month, are mandatory for new applicants.
Don't be alarmed: Military training near Walden next week:
The public is advised that personnel from Garrison Petawawa will be conducting training in the Walden area Nov. 20-24. Residents may see and hear uniformed military personnel with weapons, military helicopters and the use of low-level explosives. All efforts will be made to ensure that disruption to the community will be at a minimum.
Wednesday weather:
Mainly cloudy today with periods of rain mixed with snow. Wednesday's high is expected hit 2. More of the same as we head into the evening with chances of some mixed precipitation. Evening low will fall to zero. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
