Province announces world-class training facility for first responders in Sudbury

Ontario has committed $125 million for a world-class training facility for mine rescue and emergency responders in Sudbury.

Sudbury will be home to a world-class training facility that will offer training for mine rescue and other emergency responders.

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, made the announcement in Sudbury on April 15 to a standing-room-only news conference at the annual mining and safety conference.

Piccini said the training will include high-angle rescue, fire response, hazardous material, confined space, structural collapse and smart classrooms.

“As technology evolves, you have got to make sure we have access to modern training,” he said.

“This is a seminal proactive investment in worker health and safety.”

The training facility, which will have on-site accommodation, is expected to open in 2029.

“From police to firefighters to Ministry of Natural Resources, at the end of the day, the skills that you use in emergency response are the same on surface as they are underground,” said Shawn Rideout, Ontario Mine Rescue Chief Officer.

Aimed at first responders

“So this facility is going to serve a lot of people.”

Ontario Mine Rescue is a division of Workplace Safety North.

“We have had a number of conversations with system leaders. It was great to see that everywhere we went and everyone we talked to supported this,” said Mike Parent, Workplace Safety North president and CEO.

“They see what this can do not just for Sudbury or the province, but for the country and for the world.”

The announcement comes as the province says global demand for critical minerals is expected to double by 2030.

“Health and safety training is paramount no matter what sector we operate in,” said Bruce Smith, WSIB chief risk and governance officer.

“This is an important compliment to the growth that is anticipated in mining in Ontario.”

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre said the area will see a surge in the number of mines in the coming years.

“Sudbury, just within the city itself, we will be going from nine mines to 15 mines over the next five years,” Lefebvre said.

“We look and northern Ontario and northern Quebec, probably another 15 on top of that, new mines.”

Officials said details are being finalized on the deal to attain the 124-acre property for the training facility.

CTV Northern Ontario has learned it will be built on the northern section of the Lasalle extension between Frood Road and College Boreal.