Northern Ontario Business

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Nickel demand hangs over Vale Inco strike: strike puts the pinch to Sudbury-area producers, suppliers.(Vale Inco)
Contract issues may separate Vale Inco and striking United Steelworkers at the company's Sudbury and Port Colborne operations, but it's the market that will likely cause the strike to drag on, accor . . .

The alchemist.(READ THIS)(Brief article)
Time for a break from all the business of business. Settle into an inspiring 174-page book by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho as he transcends, culture and language with a brilliantly written fictiona . . .

Figuratively speaking.(automobile industry)(Brief article)
Percentage drop in North American car and truck production in the first 7 weeks of 2009 versus the same period in 2008, from 2,157,688 units down to 886,614, according to Viraf Baliwalla, a consumer . . .

New ideas about old problems.(ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING)
For 115 years the Royal Economic Society has been trying to figure out why some countries are rich and some are poor. The most recent issue of their journal presents two new theories that apply in N . . .

Retirement economy needs skilled people hot construction economy needs workers: former uranium mining town continues to make all
The bustling service economy created by the City of Elliot Lake needs a few willing hands ready to swing a hammer or fix a snowmobile. The historic uranium mining town-turned-retirement-community . . .

Manitoulin harbour lease renewal draws controversy Environmental concerns dog harbour development: first Nations contend aggrega
A Great Lakes port on the North Channel of Lake Huron continues to be a flashpoint for controversy between a Sudbury aggregate materials company and a Manitoulin Island-area First Nation community . . .

Capitol Centre open for conference business: eighty-year-old performance hall ready for corporate get-togethers.(CONFERENCE & CO
North Bay's Capitol Centre is opening its theatre doors wider to meetings and conferences. With close to 300 concerts, theatrical performances and other activities being staged every year, the downt . . .

International Plowing Match in Earlton: more than 70,000 attendees to bring $21 M in benefits.(CONFERENCE & CONVENTION)
More than 70,000 people are expected to pour into the small village of Earlton throughout the 2009 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) from Sept. 22-26, 2009, the first time the annual . . .

Thunder Bay tourism hits the conferences, sports events trail; Meetings, conventions, corporate retreats part of a growing secto
Thunder Bay tourism manager Paul Pepe knows all about taking advantage of opportunities in a volatile market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the North American travel market struggling since 2003, . . .

Kirkland Lake Gold reports $10.5M net loss.(IN BRIEF)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Kirkland Lake Gold reported a net income of $2.3 million in a release detailing the results of its fiscal year that ended April 30. For the 2008 fiscal year, the company suffered a net loss for th . . .

BacTech to drill Gowganda tailings for feasibility study.(IN BRIEF)(Brief article)
Taking another step towards its proposed bioleaching facility, BacTech Mining Corporation has engaged the services of Picton-based MPI Drilling to begin a sonic drill program on the Castle Mine tail . . .

Quote.
"I think these issues are going to come up a lot more often." Jayson Myers president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) who is concerned that such protectionism is appearing in more A . . .

The collected wisdom of ...(NEWS)
Name: Paul Hebert Title: Executive director, Federated School of Mines Title: Former executive director, Mining Industry Human Resources Council Residence: Sudbury Q What's the best advice y . . .

Figuratively speaking.(NEWS)
Percentage drop in North American car and truck production in the first 7 weeks of 2009 versus the same period in 2008, from 2,157,688 units down to 886,614, according to Viraf Baliwalla, a consumer . . .

U.S. shuts out CDN manufacturers.(NEWS)
Northern businesses are experiencing first hand the affects of American rising protectionism against Canadian companies. President Barack Obama's visit to Canada was intended to quell the fears an . . .

No plan, no succession, no future.(PRESIDENT'S NOTE)
Last month I wrote about the hollowing out of Northern Ontario and the continuing deterioration of authority, influence and relevance in key sectors. The topic of the day was the destruction of CBC . . .

Taking advantage of R&D tax credits.(ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING)
There are two groups of entrepreneurs that confuse me: those who tell me they are proud that they never used government money whatsoever, and those who complain there isnit enough government money t . . .

Designing couple: architectural firm growing out it's body of work.(DESIGN BUILD)
When Matt Ryan explains FAD Architects "modern rustic" approach to building design, he's drawing on his inspiration from Scandinavian architecture. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Both Matt and his wife/ . . .

TBT Engineering consulting group: from testing through to consultation, we are your 'down to earth' consultants.(CORPORATE PROFI
Thunder Bay Testing has officially changed their legal name to TBT Engineering Limited. Although company employees will be forever proud of the herltage as "Thunder Bay Testing", the company has off . . .

Minimizing broadband downtime: Financing new fibre optics.(DESIGN BUILD)
Ontera, a telecommunications company run by the Government of Ontario, is building a large fibre optic ring serving Northeastern Ontario. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Paul Goulet, vice president and g . . .

Ionic Engineering's knack for building: creating momentum and technological innovation.(DESIGN BUILD)
It's the dream of most children playing with LEGOs to build innovatively designed pieces that are functional, well, at least those children who have a knack for invention. Turns out the little boy . . .

T Bay honours local innovators: local cardiologist is recognized as innovator hero.(NEWS)
Three Thunder Bay entrepreneurs have been honoured for their innovation at a luncheon on April 30. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The awards, given by the North western Ontario Innovation Centre, are de . . .

Hope floats in Marathon: Marathon PGM continues progress toward open pit.(NORTH SHORE)
The world financial crisis and crashing metal prices have forced several mining companies to abandon or put on hold their plans to open new mines. Marathon PGM president Phil Walford said his boar . . .

Diamond hunters bulk up for mine development: Dianor Resources plunges ahead with major bulk sample in Wawa.(NORTH SHORE)
A potential diamond mine that pays for itself? Executives at Dianor Resources will find out over the next 18 months as they, prepare to take a 50,000 tonne bulk sample from its Leadbetter diamond . . .

Wait and see on Wawa quarry: OMB decision expected on lakeside trap rock mine.(NORTH SHORE)
After seven years of waiting to see if a controversial Wawa trap rock quarry becomes reality, what's a few more weeks? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Town of Wawa, an open-pit miner and a group of c . . .

Technology bringing knowledge to remote lands: live online courses and audio-conferencing, bridging the gap.(NEWS)
When the only way in or out of a community is by air or ice road, operational only for a few months a year, access to quality education can be a struggle. Education is a major ongoing challenge fo . . .

What's in it for Parry Sound? Wait and see on spinoffs from G8 Summit.(PARRY SOUND)
Next year's G8 Summit of international leaders in Muskoka should produce some economic spinoffs for Parry Sound. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The preparations for the June 25-27,2010 event at Huntsvil . . .

Family-owned sightseeing company lets the Parry Sound scenery sell itself.(On Cruise Control)
Ontario's tourism industry may have taken a five-year beating since the summer of SARS, but Parry Sound's Island Queen Cruise just keeps sailing right along. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Anderson . . .

Here they grow again: Parry Sound Area Airport ready to blast off with new expansion.(PARRY SOUND)
Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport continues to be a bee hive of activity with new businesses arriving and more expansion plans in the works. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A pro-business airport commis . . .

Denis Turcotte: the emerging bio-economy fuels former CEO.(NORTHERN ICONS)
When Denis Turcotte resigned as head of Algoma Steel last year, he could have written his ticket into any corner office. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But instead of becoming a corporate turnaround art . . .

Risto Laamanen: contractor, mining CEO great supportor of science.(NORTHERN ICONS)
Some people just have that gift of making things happen and a quiet Sudbury businessman, Risto Laamanen, who prefers to fly under the radar, has not only developed successful construction and mining . . .

John Larche: prospector with the Golden touch.(NORTHERN ICONS)
He is a legend in his field, pure and simple. The Timmins prospector extraordinaire, John Larche is probably best known as a member of the team that made the major Canadian gold discovery of the 198 . . .

Doug Smith: community involvement, regional growth in the family genes.(NORTHERN ICONS)
Doug Smith is an adventurer with a heart of gold. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] His voice resonates with enthusiasm and energy and he cannot seem to talk fast enough to get his idea out. His confident . . .

Vic Fedeli: North Bay's best salesman.(NORTHERN ICONS)
"Everything comes down to personality," says North Bay Mayor Vic Fedeli. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If one has a chance to meet, or even chat with Fedeli on the phone one quickly understand why he i . . .

First glimpse of Mining Act passes muster: stakeholder groups encouraged by new rules, dialogue.(MINING)
The first peak at Ontario's revamped Mining Act is being called a good first step by stakeholders toward eliminating land use conflict and misunderstandings between industry, First Nation people, pr . . .

Safety show talks belts, vibrations: MASHA conference spotlight old issues and new ideas.(MINING)
It requires a broad range of health and safety guidelines and regimes to bring each mining company worker home safety and it only seems fitting to bring new ideas to the fore where the men will hear . . .

Amidst layoffs, industry warns about staffing shortfall: nearly 60,000 new workers needed within 10 years.(MINING)
Downturns in the global economy may have put a damper on the mining sector, but the industry remains in dire need of 60,000 fresh faces to replace the exodus of retirees over the next 10 years. Co . . .

Kirkland Lake hitting Gold in tough times.
Thanks to the opening of a new ore zone, Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. has more than doubled production and taken on 150 new miners. Gold has been the brilliant element in these grey economic times and . . .

Mining still the salt of the earth: mining service and suppliers debut at the CMIE.(MINING)
In spite of the recession, Xstrata Nickel job cuts and the planned two to three month shutdown at Vale Inco, mining sector suppliers say they "can't complain." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 2009 Ca . . .

Ontario among top 10 global mining jurisdictions: Quebec tops the list, Venezuala sits at the bottom.(MINING)
Ontario continues to stand tall as one of the most respected mining jurisdictions in the world, coming in the top 10, according to the Fraser Institute's annual survey of international mining compan . . .

Mine safety event tackles leadership, stress and culture: MASHA conference attract 300 mining industry players.(MINING)
Leadership, dealing with stress, and building a culture of safety were the topics that attracted 300 industry players to the 2009 Mining Health and Safety conference. "The conference has been grow . . .

It pays to be responsible: North Bay firm's program improves safety culture and saves cash.(MINING)
Health and safety in the mining industry has come a long way, and a new program offered by a North Bay-based firm is hoping to take it to the next level. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Safety in the min . . .

Headed on the right path: Sturgeon Falls drill survey company weathers the storm.(MINING)
The crash in financial markets and base metals prices hasn't deterred an international mining supplier that calls Sturgeon Falls its Canadian base. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Until last fall's plung . . .

Measuring Mining sustainability: with 2008 data the Towards Sustainability Mining initiative will identify who is earning a pass
Mining produces the material used in catalytic converters, kitchen sinks, and tiny technological chips used in computers and health scanners. Mining minerals to be used in such materials enhances . . .

Sources of woody biomass for energy: hydroelectric, biomass, solar potential sparking local optimism.(BIOMASS)
Energy costs are rising. Residential and commercial sectors across Northern Ontario are hurting due to the volatility of conventional fossil fuels (e.g. oil, natural gas) and electricity Industries, . . .

Ontario's changing biomass landscape: an interview with MNR Minister Cansfield, and industry representative.(BIOMASS)(Interview)
Through the partnering of the province of Ontario, its Forest Industry, and our First Nations; the future of forestry in Ontario is a forever changing landscape. This partnering future will include . . .

Marathon to look into new owners for pulp mill.(IN BRIEF)
The Town of Marathon will assess the viability of new owners to operate the local pulp mill with help from the Ontario government. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is providing $67,5 . . .

What are they doing in Europe? Northern Ontario's landsacape similar to Europe's resources.(BIOMASS)
The 'Greenest city in Europe' is not some sun-soaked southern village covered in solar panels, nor a windy costal town surrounded by a forest of wind turbines, but rather the city of Vaxjo, nestled . . .

Renewable energy co-ops can revitalize Northern communities.(BIOMASS)
After three decades of deregulation, tax cuts, and privatization (the "free trade" policies originally touted by Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Brian Mulroney as the economic model for lasting . . .

Green energy Act empowers communities.(BIOMASS)
There was a time when many cities and small towns throughout Ontario were self-sufficient in electricity. Located on the numerous rivers that run throughout the province, communities such as Thunder . . .