What I Learned Mining in Northern Ontario

The following article is featured in the September issue of the Thunder Bay Business News.

By Jessie Cook, CLAC’s Supporting Women In Construction (SWIC) program Mentor

Beyond the winding roads, endless lakes, and stunning fall foliage, there’s more to discover deep in northern Ontario’s remote mining communities.

Even though it’s been a while since I worked at a gold mine site, some things have really stayed with me from my time near Dubreuilville, Ontario.

First, the communities surrounding the mines really cared.

The mine’s investment in local communities was visible throughout our journey. Support for roads, community facilities, events, and local functions showed a commitment to giving back to the areas where they operated.

They also hired locally, creating steady, reliable work for the people who lived there. You could clearly see the impact that had on the surrounding communities.

Second, security stood out.

Job security that can span generations is a notable feat, and it benefits everyone. But there was another kind of security that stood out to me: the feeling of security and safety on site.

There were strict entrance protocols, safety training, and general awareness throughout the community. There was an “everyone has your back” mentality, which meant there was always an extra set of eyes on things.

That could be taken the wrong way, but when you’re doing dangerous work in a remote area, I saw it as a benefit. The towns seemed to thrive knowing everyone had each other’s backs, and as visitors in town for work, we felt that support too.

Third, training and awareness made a lasting impression.

Even though we were contractors and weren’t directly involved in mining the materials, the amount of training we received just to make it onto the job site was remarkable.

We learned about the process and the carefully planned steps required to operate a site like that. It gave us a deeper appreciation for what those large operations were doing.

The companies clearly prioritized site-wide safety and communication, which benefited everyone. Yes, things took more time, but I’d rather have safe work than shutdowns and loss of life!

When you consider the vast amount of ground those operations covered, it was clear how important strict protocols were, along with making sure everyone understood them.

It seemed like everyone, from store owners and schools to hospitals, understood how the operations worked. That said a lot about the ripple effect that good training and awareness could have throughout an entire community.

Looking back, one of the biggest takeaways from my time in northern Ontario was the strong connection between workers, employers, communities, training, and safety. Everyone had a role to play, and each contributed to the success of the whole.

It’s something I think about now in my role as a mentor with CLAC’s Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) program. Having good people around you, knowing where to turn for support, and having access to training and mentorship can make a big difference in building a long-term career in the trades.

Northern Ontario has figured out how to make use of available resources, employ local people, and benefit communities at the same time. Those operations contributed to their towns, supported conservation, and created lifelong careers for the people involved. Working at that mine was one of the best experiences of my career!

Please, bring this community feeling to BC!

Jessie Cook is a tradeswoman and mentor with CLAC’s Supporting Women In Construction (SWIC) program. Through SWIC, she shares her experience in the trades and supports other women building careers in construction.

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