The Lac des IIes Palladium mine has now been operational for around 30 years. Impala Canada, a member of the Implats Group based in South Africa, purchased the mine previously owned by North American Palladium. The mine is for the most part an underground mine with some open pit.
“ We are at around 860 full time employees and that doesn’t include contractor staff of around 100. The average work force here is 550 on a
daily basis. There are 2 - 12 hour shifts 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We have a modular camp on site that can accommodate close to 500. Some of our employees live in Thunder Bay, like I do, but most are from across Canada. Most work a 14 day on and 14 day off fly in and fly out schedule.” said Dale Gregory, Procurement Coordinator, Lac des Iles with Impala Canada.
The palladium metal price is currently pretty good at $1500 to$1600 US. It has been as low as $ 300 to as high as $3000 according to Gregory. The
Impala Canada mine produces about 225,000 oz annually. The mine life span is currently 8 to 9 years dependent on ore price and new exploration activities.
“ Our mine spends a lot of money in Thunder Bay with suppliers. We have a
mandate to keep as much of our supply spending local although we can’t get everything we need here so may get some products, say in Sudbury. It is good for the local economy.” said Dale Gregory.
Once you have a good plan of attack on Aerobic exercise- your heart, the other kind of exercise involves developing your muscles. It just makes basic sense that by putting your body muscle groups through a workout, you will develop strength. Muscles need activity to grow and usually our daily activity level won't be enough to reach their potential. I started with a personal trainer a while ago who really specializes in building and developing muscle mass. His certification as a fitness trainer has provided him with special knowledge in muscle development.
Muscle training is really about isolating a muscle group you are working on, and
challenging yourself by lifting weights that will start the growth process. You always begin with lighter weights and through a gradual process work up to higher weights and concentrated repetitions.
To witness your own muscle development is a huge benefit for your overall fitness level and quality of life. Many of our day to day activities are easier when we feel stronger. The body has many muscles, but they can be broken down into large groups. Perhaps the largest muscles are in our legs. I guess it makes sense as we use them to walk. Next, the back has muscles that help maintain our posture. The chest allows us to lift, along with our shoulders. Lastly, our arms and biceps, and triceps which are smaller, but frequently used muscles.
Each muscle group can be exercised and developed. Today there are many pieces of equipment that can be used to isolate and work these muscles with the resistance of weight. In addition, the use of free weights allow an excellent working of these muscles. I think the development of muscles is an area of some complexity, but generally breaks down to working isolated muscles with a gradual increase of resistance. You must also provide muscles time to regenerate, which means not training everyday. It is best to train every second day, or work on different muscle groups each day. Generally, in weight training you work in sets of repetitions. For example, you could do 3 sets of 12 repetitions on eight different machines on your back and shoulder muscles for example. You
should be challenging yourself to gain results by lifting weights that are making you work.
If you can hire a personal trainer, a complete program is a good idea which will cover all muscle groups. Usually it will cost you money per session, but I believe it would be some of the best money you could ever spend. My philosophy is spending money on your health is an investment in YOU! You will gain great dividends. www.scottsumner.com
Arthritis and degeneration of the low back is a common condition in humans.Over time repetitive stresses of daily life can cause wear and tear on the joints, discs, and bones of the spine.This type of arthritis is called osteoarthritis.In anatomical terms we would say that: extensive arthritic changes lead to thinning discs, thickening of the spinal joints and ligaments, and boney buildup of the vertebral bodies which can all cause narrowing of the spinal canals.This can compromise the spinal nerves and spinal cord.If the spinal nerves are affected, we call it lateral spinal stenosis.If the spinal cord is affected, we call it central spinal stenosis.Often both can be compromised. Within 15 years 25% of the Canadian population will be suffering with some form of spinal stenosis.It will be a leading cause of pain, disability, and loss of dependence in the elderly.Those with spinal stenosis become more sedentary which further causes a decline in their overall health.
Spinal stenosis is dynamic meaning that the symptoms change with posture. The most common signs and symptoms include older age, buttock or leg pain and weakness with walking which improves with forward bending or flexion, and relief with sitting.So, what is happening?The decreased space
surrounding the nerves creates a backup of venous flow.This in turn blocks spinal fluid which then blocks the capillaries (mini blood vessels) which does not allow for oxygen and nutrients to get to the nerves and tissues which then causes numbness and pain in the buttocks and legs.So, it is not an inflammatory condition.That is why antiinflammatory drugs often are not effective for those with spinal stenosis.
To complicate things even further, having spinal stenosis in one or more levels of your spinal column does not exclude having other conditions like disc herniations at other levels or hip disease or vascular claudication. This is why it is not a good idea to listen to your friend or neighbor’s advice on what to do.Often certain exercises or movements that work great for one type of back condition are completely ineffective or even harmful for other conditions. No matter what health issues you have a logical and thoughtful approach would be to start with the most conservative therapies first, as they are generally the safest and have the least potential for side effects.Conservative therapies start with home care, lifestyle modifications, certain exercises, and postural improvements. Next would be therapies such as chiropractic care or physiotherapy or acupuncture. Attempting more aggressive therapies should be assessed for risk benefit ratios before proceeding.However, too often people and health practitioners jump to more aggressive therapies first.
Before starting any therapy, you should reflect on your goals.Is it solely to get out of pain?Is it to have better function?If so, what function are you trying to achieve: daily house chores, walking, sporting activities, social activities.When discussing spinal stenosis, one needs to understand that although pain reduction is a desirable goal, most people with this condition will always have a certain amount of pain.Amore realistic goal would be to improve and maintain a higher level of function.Functional goals will go a lot further in also reducing other health risks like cardiovascular disease and diabetes than will pain goals.
Multiple scientific literature reviews described the effectiveness of various thera-
pies:
• NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories), Gabapentin and prostaglandins – not effective because spinal stenosis is not an inflammatory condition.
• Pain killers like acetaminophen and opioids showed poor results.
• Epidural injection – no evidence of positive outcomes.Despite this, 25% of all epidurals done are for spinal stenosis.
• Chiropractic care or physical therapy – some positive effectiveness, especially to reduce leg pain but results diminish over time.
•Surgery – moderate effectiveness to reduce leg pain but no effect on low back pain.Results last 2-5 years and then secondary surgery is often done.No difference in walking, pain or disability scores when compared to conservative therapies.
One therapy which has impressive results in terms of significant improvement in function, is the Boot Camp Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis developed by Dr Carlo Ammendolia DC.This program includes a combination of chiropractic techniques to increase spinal joint function along with specific low-tech exercises that the patient learns to do in office and then continues to
do at home indefinitely.It has received several accolades amongst the spinal research community for its effective functional results, its patient centered approach and its low-tech, low-cost application.There are several local chiropractors who use the Boot Camp Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. If you suffer from low back pain and/or leg pain, your best option would be to first visit a health professional that has the expertise to diagnose spine related problems and then can provide conservative treatment options.
James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice.For more health information or to contact Dr. DiGiuseppe visit: www.portarthurchiropractic.com
“…out like a lion,”
This is a famous truism about March. But it is not necessarily any more true than “Beware the Ides of March”, coined for dramatic purposes in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar”, or we would all stay hiding under our beds March 15th.
Truisms serve their purposes, whether as cautionary tales or everyday advice.
But what about truisms in law, such as “possession is nine-tenths of the law”?
Again, they may serve a purpose, simplifying complex legal concepts into easily remembered nuggets, but they are also often misleading and therefore must be
handled with care.
The bad news is that in criminal law, possession can be a very bad thing.
Possession is less important when it comes to ownership. There, the law becomes very complex. Are we talking about a gift, a trust, a bailment, a consignment, or a sale?
Possession is NOTnine-tenths of the law. The saying is rooted in the law of adverse possession, which prevents the true owner of land from reclaiming it once the prescribed time has passed. Although not yet dead in Ontario (the Weilers.ca website has a recent article on this), it is fading into the sunset with new Land Titles systems prevailing.
What about personal property? How important is possession there?
We can all think of situations where we leave articles with another person without transferring ownership – a car for repair; clothing at the dry cleaners. Maybe you left Mom’s antiques to an auctioneer to bundle into an estate auction. Or left the keys for Dad’s house with the realtor to find a buyer.
What matters is whether there is transfer of title. Title in turn includes both legal (or paper) and beneficial title. In a trust situation, the trustee has the legal title, but the beneficiaries have the beneficial title. The
beneficial title is so importance that we sometimes refer to it as “true ownership”, though the power of a beneficiary to deal with the property is almost non-existent. Confused yet? Don’t worry- that is my point.
Beware the idioms of law! And the ides of March.
Documentation is important to prove the intent around possession – the repair slip; the listing agreement; a trust instrument. “off the shelf” is fine for simple situations, but to prepare a sophisticated agreement, legal assistance is a good investment. If you need legal help, call my colleagues at Weilers LLP.
Tbaytel has tripled its 600 MHz holdings to bolster its 5G coverage in northern Ontario after the results of a recent spectrum auction by Innovation, Science, and
Economic Development (ISED) Canada.
The federal government announced the winners of its residual spectrum license auction Jan. 25 with Tbaytel receiving two
licenses for 600MHz, bringing its total of the highly sought-after spectrum to 30MHz. This is integral to Tbaytel’s current and future expansion of 5G services throughout challenging northern Ontario
terrain by providing deep indoor and rural coverage.
“This auction was a competitive bidding process and Tbaytel is proud to have been able to win valuable spectrum that strengthens our wireless network in this competitive Canadian telecommunication landscape,” said Tbaytel President and CEO Dan Topatigh.
“Spectrum is essential for providing a modern wireless communication network with varying bands required in order to address coverage, capacity and latency across Tbaytel’s serving territory. Coupled with the 190MHz of 3500 MHz won in past auctions, which is ideal for urban and suburban demands, Tbaytel’s latest success continues to strengthen its position and future-proof its network.”
5G service operates over traditional and new frequency bands in the low, mid and millimetre-wave ranges. It brings unprecedented speeds, more capacity and transforms possibilities for the people and businesses Tbaytel serves in northern Ontario.
To learn more about Tbaytel’s launch of 5G and how you can experience the latest in cutting edge wireless technology, visit tbaytel.net/5g
Confederation College hosted its annual Career and Job Fair on Wednesday February 15. More than 60 local, regional, and national employers were in attendance.
Confederation College’s Career and Job Fair is an essential event to support students, upcoming graduates, alumni, and community job seekers to get connected to employer partners. The event is designed
employers from diverse sectors and backgrounds here at the college to meet with future employees," said Dan Stezenko, Supervisor, Operations, Workforce Development at the college. "We had an overwhelming response from employers, and that means a lot of opportunities for students and graduates looking for their next, or first career opportunity."
Impala Canada helped to support the
viduals pursuing Red Seal certifications in several trades disciplines.
“We’re thrilled to be at Confederation College this week and to support this event, as we are always looking to meet and recruit the next generation of mining talent.LDI is close to Thunder Bay, is a great place to live and work, and provides an exciting opportunity for young people to gain entry into the workplace,” said Mike Newbold, General Manager, LDI.
“We hope everyone enjoys this year’s Career Fair.”
Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of stu-
dents in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has seven regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, as well as a growing Distance Education division.
Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 4,800 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full- and part-time employees.
Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $703.3 million annually.
to help individuals to learn about opportunities and make connections with key employers.It is intended for all interest levels, so this is the perfect way to learn more about organizations directly from the employer; furthermore, for employers to make connections with future talent.
"We're incredibly excited to have over 80
Career Fair, and will be one of the employers showcased at the event. Their Lac des Iles (LDI) palladium mine has been in operations for nearly 30 years and is located 90 minutes northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. With a workforce of more than 700 people, Lac des Iles is regularly recruiting new team members and runs a successful apprenticeship program for indi-
BYSCOTTA. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 do in house training for their members but also offer apprentice programs and training for anyone out there who wants to be trained professionally. They currently have training locations in Oakville, and Morrisburg, Ontario.
“ We are currently looking for a viable piece of property where we can set up a permanent office here in NWOntario to include training, Indigenous and Mining ready set training and upgrade training for the local members,” said John Kelly, Northwestern Ontario Supervisor, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793. “We have always had a foot hold in the construction industry. Many of our members work in the forestry industry in the winter when it is
slow with earth moving. We want to move into the mining field with its expansion as well as the training of Indigenous community members.”
In the apprentice programs, the
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 train on three pieces of equipment with 14 weeks of training. There is the academic side of it, the actual testing, the in class and then in field testing. After this training they get the trainee
a job as an apprentice in the industry. The apprenticeship requires about 2000 to 2500 hours on each piece of equipment.-bulldozer, track excavator and rubber tired backhoe.
BYSCOTTA. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS
Clean Air Metals is a junior exploration company based in Thunder Bay looking for palladium, platinum, copper and nickel as main minerals. They currently own a flag ship asset known as Thunder Bay North, located 40km northeast of Thunder Bay. It takes about 45 minutes to get to site up the Armstrong road. Clean Air
Metals have two well defined conduits which are well defined by drilling and they are looking to advance exploration on this project.
“ Our goal is to have a mine there but if someone wants to buy the property and take over the process that is an option. The way we are treating it currently is we want to build a mine there. We have received funding from Triple Flag Corporation of $15 million CDN, ” said
Dana Campbell, age 27, Database/ Corporate Geologist at Clean Air Metals who is from Thunder Bay and went to
ing to develop a mine plan that is kinda net zero carbon so it doesn’t have a carbon foot print, say using electrical vehi-
Lakehead University obtaining a masters degree in geology.
“ We have around 10 employees currently and employ contractors and consultants including drilling and environmental engineers.”
“ The deposits we have are high grade, well defined and well drilled. We are try-
cles. Something we are really excited about is platinum is a catalyst used to create clean hydrogen so will be valuable coming in the next few years as it is an essential part of the demand for green energy. Our deposit is within 400 meters from surface.We hope it to be underground as it is more environmentally better than open pit.”
The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce presented the Prosperity Northwest
Association and supported by Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund. The presenting sponsor was Enbridge Gas.
Business Conference & Trade Show on Wednesday, February 15th at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre.The full-day event was hosted in partnership with Anishnawbe Business Professional
The conference agenda focused on regional opportunities in mining, energy and forestry.Discussions also highlighted government and industry procurement processes, Ontario’s economic outlook,
and Indigenous partnership successes. Attendees connected with 50 exhibitors
from a broad range of local, regional and national organizations.
Investments will help build the available workforce and create new employment opportunities in the region
Recently, new investments from FedNor totalling $2,123,675 were announced for three training, skill development, and innovation initiatives in the Thunder Bay area. The announcement was made by Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay— Superior North, and Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay— Rainy River.
Matawa Training and Wellness Centre (MTWC) will receive $1 million through the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) to support MTWC’s Increase Skills Development Project, which provides integrated apprenticeships, essential skills, trades training, academic credits, job opportunities, and cultural supports for the nine First Nation member communities of Matawa First Nations. Specifically, the funds will enable renovations to the second floor of the MTWC facility in Thunder Bay, including the construction and upgrading of five classrooms, a computer lab, multi-use
training rooms, a resource centre, and a client program area, as well as converting the garage on the main floor into an apprenticeship training workshop.
Confederation College will receive $889,975 through the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) to support the Evergreen Outdoor Classroom (EOC) project. The EOC will consist of a fully accessible outdoor learning site with an indoor elder’s area, medicine gardens, a permanent tipi location, a pathway to the riverbank, and integrated technology to enable remote learning in First Nations communities. The EOC will enable Confederation College to host seven Indigenous-focused programs, including Embark – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), a new program for Indigenous women and youth.
Lakehead University will receive $233,700 through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program to support the university in establishing the Centre for Healthy Ecosystems and Environmentally Conscious Economic Development (CHEECED). CHEECED will represent a multi-disciplinary cluster of university faculty with a common goal of working with industrial partners, Indigenous communities, and municipalities on natural resource initiatives. FedNor’s support will help drive innovation and the adoption of advanced technologies in the natural resource sector.
“Education and training changes lives and families. Ensuring our economy works for everyone means we must all work together to help every person reach their full potential. The $2.1 million in new investments announced from FedNor today will support the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre, Confederation College, and Lakehead University to continue their important work in skills training and development programs that reach people and lift them up through education. The Northern Ontario and local economy needs a skilled
and talented workforce to grow, and today’s announcement will help our region develop the talent we need.”
• The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
“The economic benefits created by the FedNor funds announced today will help Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario continue to thrive. Supporting our workforce helps us continue to maximize the potential of our economy. We are helping create new jobs, new opportunities, and new growth in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario through this collaboration.”
• Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay— Rainy River
“FedNor’s ability to find alignment between the mutual objectives of the Jobs and Growth Fund and the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre within this phase of its renovations will enable us to move closer to our goal of being able to provide the space needed to offer the essentials skills, trades and other training needed to participate in Canada’s economy.”
• Rosemary Moonias, President of Matawa First Nations Management
“The Evergreen Outdoor Classroom represents an important addition to the broad, dynamic learning environments we have been providing to students in Northwestern Ontario for over 50 years. We are thankful for FedNor’s support in helping us further the objectives of respect and inclusion whereby Indigenous knowledge is foundational to learning, and this project helps us do exactly that.”
• Kathleen Lynch, President of Confederation College“FedNor’s support of the Centre for Healthy Ecosystems and Environmentally Conscious Economic Development is going to help us drive innovation, and to understand the challenges and impacts of natural resource industry. CHEECED represents an opportunity to work with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and industry partners to capitalize on opportunities, mitigate risk, and develop solutions that benefit everyone.”
• Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice President Research and Innovation, Lakehead University
• Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) is a registered nonprofit Tribal Council. Tribal Councils are institutions established as, “a grouping of bands with common interests who voluntarily join together to provide advisory and/or program services to member bands.”
* MFNM membership includes 8 First Nations in Treaty 9 and 1 First Nation in Robinson-Superior (though not a signatory to this Treaty). Five Matawa First Nations are accessible by air and winter road while the other 4 are accessible by all season roads. The combined population of Matawa is over 10,000.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is providing more than $1.3 million in grants to researchers at Lakehead University.
Dr. Alla Reznik is a Physics Professor at Lakehead University and a scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute who is receiving $738,226 to explore a new way to diagnose prostate cancer in men.
“The goal of this research is to improve prostate cancer diagnosis by accurately establishing where in the broad spectrum of this disease a particular tumor lies and to identify its true aggressiveness,” said Dr. Reznik, who is the Canada Research Chair in the Physics of Radiation Medical Imaging.
She and her team will achieve this goal over five years by developing a next-generation imaging system based on a combination of prostate-targeted Positron Emission Tomography and transrectal ultrasound imaging.
“Our research will advance the field of prostate cancer detection beyond the current standard of care and will result in an improvement of prostate cancer survival – yielding significant clinical benefits,” Dr. Reznik said. Her co-applicants include researchers from the London Regional Cancer Program, and the University of Western Ontario. Radialis
she said.
Dr. Kone will provide recommendations for policy responses and care approaches, informed by anti-oppressive and intersectional ways, overall and for future emergencies.
She and her team will use a mixed-method approach including a survey and interviews. The study will look at Northwestern Ontario, including rural areas and Indigenous communities, plus Black communities in the Greater Toronto Area.
Dr. Lana Ray, from Lakehead’s Department of Indigenous Learning, and Dr. Elaine Wiersma from Lakehead’s Department of Health Sciences, are assisting in this study along with researchers from the University of Toronto.
Multiple Indigenous and Black communitybased organizations are also involved and partners in the study, including Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig Health Access Centre (WNHAC), the Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre,
Entité 3, and Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.
Two first-year Master of Health Sciences students are participating in the research and a recent Master of Public Health graduate is the research coordinator.
Professor at Lakehead University, and his team are receiving a $250,000 grant to develop content-specific and culturally relevant practices that will transform youth mental health services in Indigenous contexts.
Dr. Mushquash is a clinical psychologist. He is a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, a professor at NOSM University, Vice-President of Research at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), and Chief Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI).
The team will conduct this research over one year on behalf of Access Open Minds, the first pan-Canadian youth mental health network.
Six Indigenous community partners are included in the research: Elsipogtog First Nation (NB), Eskasoni First Nation (NS), Sturgeon Lake First Nation (Sask.), Puvirnituq (Nunavik, Que.), the Cree Nation of Mistissini (Que.), and Ulukhaktok (Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NWT).
Medical is the partner organization.
Two PhD students and one Master of Science student will assist with this research.
Dr. Anna Kone, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, is receiving more than $293,000 to assess and understand the impacts of the pandemic on people from Black and Indigenous communities who have chronic diseases.
She and her team will perform this important research over two years.
“In the midst of the pandemic, there were reductions in service offerings to respond to the crisis,” Dr. Kone said.
“Inevitably, this impacted the care of those already having difficulty navigating the system for their ongoing health needs, including patients with cancer, diabetes, dementia, etc.,”
The Ontario government is providing $447,750 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology in Thunder Bay to revitalize its main lecture theatre. This investment will help recruit and retain more students and stimulate the local economy. “Our government is hard at work making targeted investments, which support economic development and growth right here in Thunder Bay,” said Kevin Holland, MPPfor Thunder Bay— Atikokan. “This investment in the
Confederation College
Dibaajimogamig Lecture Theatre will ensure that generations to come have a place to grow, learn and realize their potential.”
Confederation College will use the NOHFC funding for infrastructure upgrades to Dibaajimogamig – the main lecture and performance hall on campus – including making it compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA); upgrading audio and visual equipment, which will support distance learning; creating a ‘smart classroom;’and installing new seating. The project will feature a new inclusive design by Indigenous artists, reflecting the natural environment and
Indigenous heritage of the region.
“Confederation College is incredibly appreciative of the Ontario government and NOHFC’s investment to support higher education in Thunder Bay,” said Confederation College president Kathleen Lynch. “Dibaajimogamig is truly a one-of-a-kind, modern and multifunctional learning space.”
“Our government is proud to support Confederation College as it enhances its ability to carry out learning in a modern, more technologically advanced environment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “NOHFC funding is
helping reduce barriers for distance learning and create a state-of-the-art learning facility for students in the region and beyond.” “The support Ontario is providing will ensure students at Confederation College have access to modern and accessible learning tools and equipment so they can develop the skills needed to participate in the province’s economic future,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “This investment will allow the college to continue to deliver high-quality postsecondary education to students in an environment that also reflects important elements of Indigenous heritage.
The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban— that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $608 million in 5,070 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.93 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 8,100 jobs.
Quick Facts • The Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology has operated since 1967 and has a significant economic impact on the City of Thunder Bay and the region, with an estimated $707.3 million direct impact on the local economy. • In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the north
Additional Resources • The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.
• The NOHFC’s Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.
Great Outdoors
The people of Quebec have a passion for the sport ofsnowmobiling. It was fun for me to travel to the town of SaintRaymond for three exciting days of riding on their comprehensive trail system. It was very easy to fly to Quebec City from my hometown of Thunder Bay. You have your choice of many flights on
town offices. We have Americans who store their sleds there and come here 5 or 6 times a year, buy a trail pass and ride.”
Our next day’s ride was to include an overnight trip to Lac StJean and the Mont Valin but the rain meant we decided to stay closer to home. It was fun to ride the trails near Saint Raymond and one stop was to an ice fishing area, which is a passion here. It was acarnival atmosphere on the ice and the beaver tail sugary treat was excellent.
My last riding day included a ride to Duchnesnay Station Touristique that is a 5 star hotel that used to host the famous ICE Hotel operation in Quebec. Their buffet breakfast is well known and was a real treat to experience. The food options are great in Quebec and the people are very passionate abouttheir food.
included 600 Kilometers of great snowmobiling. The people here were a highlight of the trip. The small town nature of the area meant everyone you met was very genuine and ready
to help at all times. Their goal is to make your time there special!
Air Canada, West jet or Porter. After leaving at 8 am I was in the beautiful Quebec City terminal building at 12:30 and ready to begin my adventure.
Annie Martel of the Development Office of Saint Raymond was there to meet me and we began our 40 minute drive east to Saint Raymond with lots of snow evident on the ground. Our first stop was to the Hotel Roquement which features 44 rooms including 17 brand new with a recent addition, as well as dining area, bar and even a gated compound to store your snowmobile. This hotel caters very much to thesnowmobiler and offers packages that feature breakfast and dinnerincluded. This very nice property is located right on the trail thatallows you to explore 500 km in Saint Raymond alone!
Our first ride was to Lake Edward, 160 kilometers one way up intothe mountains to Demain Lake Edward. The day was bright and sunny,about -9 degrees Celsius and our group of 11 was ready to put on some kilometers! The first thing I noticed riding was the excellent marking of the trails. You had signage everywhere you needed and this makes you feel more comfortable riding in a new area. Of course ourguide today was the local Snowmobile Club President who knew the trails like the back of his hand and also had a GPS mounted on his sled!
“ We are in Port Neuf Capital National, the 03 region which used to be called Quebec. In Saint Raymond we have 500 kms of trail andthe district has 7 or 8 clubs. The snow conditions have beenexcellent and were open before Christmas time.We can get 250 cm to400 cm of snow per year,” said Christine Clouthier, General Managerof Development for Saint Raymond- Residential, Commercial andTourism. “ The trails are groomed 4 times a week and kept it in good condition with 10 volunteers and 4 groomers. In the town the trail is on the old railroad track and in the summer becomes a bicycle trail.We have people coming here to ride from Ontario, Vermont, Maine andNew York. They come back year after year because we have lots of snow and they like the conditions.Also they can do some loops and come back to the same hotel every night if that is what they prefer. There is even a storage location for snowmobiles you can rent near our
My last night’s stay in Saint Raymond would be at the historicLa Bastide bed and breakfast. This 110-year-old property features 7 rooms each with their own bathroom and fine dining at it’s best. Itis located in the village setting of Saint Raymond and snowmobilerscan ride their sleds right to the back door. La Bastide offers snowmobiler packages including breakfast and a 5-course fine dining experience if you choose. It is a fun place to stay and offers a contrast to the traditional hotel setting of today.
My trip to Saint Raymond was excellent and
