Sudbury mine deaths renew calls for inquiry into mining fatalities

From the coffee shops to the streets of Sudbury’s downtown core, many residents in this northern Ontario mining town are trying to come to grips with the fact two more workers have been killed on the job.

Marc Methe, 34, and Norm Bissaillon, 49, died in a ground collapse at First Nickel’s Lockerby Mine on Tuesday, bringing the number of fatalities at Sudbury-area mines to six in the last three years.

• First Nickel Lockerby Mine IDs victims of deadly accident

Sudbury resident Marco Theriault said mining isn't a dangerous occupation.

“One of the first things we learn in civil or mining engineering is safety's first. And there's absolutely something gone wrong if somebody … injures himself and, even worse, dies from the injuries.”

Theriault said he hopes there will be a full investigation at Lockerby.

If the people of Sudbury or Nickel Belt want to bring that idea forward, now is a golden opportunity- France Gelinas, Nickel Belt NDP MPP

So does France Gelinas, who is seeking re-election as the provincial NDP member for Nickel Belt. Lockerby Mine is in Gelinas' riding.

She has lobbied for an inquiry into mining deaths in the past and said it's time for people to renew those calls.

“If the people of Sudbury or Nickel Belt want to bring that idea forward, now is a golden opportunity,” she said.

Voters have more power during elections because political parties are trying to please them, she noted.

United Steelworkers union representative Stephen Hunt said he's active in a campaign called "Stop the Killing,” which aims to reduce workplace deaths.

“Generally, workplace deaths are not investigated as they would investigate any other death in Canada and it's considered to be part of doing business. We want that changed,” he said.

Meanwhile, there is a joint employer-union investigation underway at Lockerby Mine. The two men were drillers with contractor Taurus Drilling Services.

The ministry of labour is also investigating.