The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
By Jonathon Naylor Will Hudbay have a difficult time finding people to work at its new Snow Lake area mines? That depends on who you ask. First Nations leaders across northern Manitoba will tell you that their job-hungry people are more ready than ever to cash in on the opportunities afforded by the mining industry. Hudbay will tell you that its turnover is very low and that it is ready to compete in the labour market to attract the skilled and unskilled men and women required. Union advocates will tell you that Hudbay isn't paying enough to make it worth people's while. And your average person may tell you, 'I have no idea, but I guess we'll find out.' No matter how this situation plays out, it is abundantly clear that the northern Manitoba mining landscape is shifting to Snow Lake. That point was illustrated quite vividly on Tuesday as officials held ribbon-cuttings at the massive Lalor mine site and the more modest Reed mine site. This shift does not necessarily mean Snow Lake will swell to an enormous size. With 'days on, days off' shifts, workers at Lalor and Reed could actually live many hours away. And that, in turn, does not necessarily mean that Flin Flon, still smarting from the loss of the copper smelter and Trout Lake Mine, will be the beneficiary. Thompson. The Pas. Swan River. Cranberry Portage. Wabowden. Wanless. First Nations. Quite a number of communities are within reasonable commuting distance of Snow Lake. And who's to say someone won't start an air service to load and unload workers? That happens at other mines, meaning workers can live even further away. In mining, living in one town and working in another is the new normal, even if some communities like Flin Flon often buck the trend. What this all means is that modern mining workers can be picky about where they live. What it means is that just as Hudbay will compete for people to call employees, communities will compete for people to call residents. As this column has previously opined, it is essential that Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach do everything in their power at this time to make life affordable and pleasant. I know what many of you are thinking. This is already an amazing place! Who wouldn't want to live here? Unfortunately, lots of people. It's one reason why we never have enough medical professionals, why some of our businesses close and why, when I look at my high school graduating class from 2000, a good half, if not more, have moved away. Of course there will always be those for whom small-town life is too drab, but there are things our communities can do to give Flin Flon and area the feel of a 'big small city.' Recreational projects like the new skateboard park, efforts to build a modern swimming pool, the availability of suitable residential lots _ these are all important to achieving that goal. So too are affordable taxes and utilities, quality health care and good schools. I'm not saying things are terrible at the moment. I'm just saying they can always be better. And now is the time to find 'better.' Local Angle runs Fridays.
