Mines safety group wants chapters across Ontario

A Sudbury-based citizens group that wants the province's mining health and safety act updated is ramping up its cause.

The group called MINES — the Mining Inquiry Needs Everyone's Support — will hold an information session in Timmins on Sunday.

Briana Fram, the secretary-treasurer with the committee, has a particular interest in ensuring more people become educated about workplace safety since her brother Jordan died while working in a mine in Sudbury two years ago.

She said the goal is to start up chapters of the group in different areas across the region.

"I think with more and more pressure from different communities, the government will see that this just isn't a local issue," Fram said.

"This is an issue across Ontario and, perhaps [the government will] take us a little bit more seriously, although we're not going to back down no matter what."

Fram said the province's mining health and safety act hasn't been updated in more than 30 years, and things need to change before more lives are lost.

The committee also noted that:

• There have been eight deaths in Ontario mines since 2011.
• Changes in workplace safety have not kept up with changes in technology.
• Ownership of the mining sector has become international.
• Environmental issues have been identified in workplace disease and community health from mining operations.
• Review of relevant legislation and criminal liability in the workplace.
• Recommendations made from inquests and investigations in previous deaths or accidents are not established as policies in all workplaces.

The Timmins session on Sunday will take place at the McIntyre Arena, 1-4 p.m.