TORONTO – BUSINESS – The Prospectors and Developers Association has wrapped up in
Toronto. There was a very solid Northern Ontario component at the annual convention.
Sudbury MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Natural Resources, Paul Lefebvre, was joined by Northern Ontario MPs, regional mayors, dignitaries and steering committee members to officially open the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase (NOMS) at the 2019 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto. The event ran from March 3 to 6, 2019.
As the largest pavilion at PDAC, the FedNor-funded NOMS pavilion featured more than 110 Northern Ontario businesses and organizations, highlighting the wealth of products, services and investment opportunities the region has to offer. Designed to showcase Northern Ontario, a recognized region of mining excellence, the pavilion assisted businesses in their efforts to expand their operations, increase trade and create high-quality middle-class jobs. Featuring approximately 25,000 attendees from over 135 countries, PDAC is one of the world’s leading mineral exploration conference and trade shows.
Here is some information on some of the businesses at PDAC
Northstar Air
Northstar Air attended PDAC to showcase the company’s capacity to deliver people and freight to northern destinations.
Northstar Air has a fleet of two ATR 72-500F, Five Basler BT-67, one Dash 8-106 and nine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The Basler BT-67 is a freight workhorse for Northstar Air. The Basler BT-67 is based on the rugged and simple design of the Douglas DC-3.
Every Basler BT-67 is delivered as a “zero-time” aircraft, meaning all new components, including the Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turbine engines, one of the widest-used and most reliable engines ever built. The Basler BT-67’s build makes it the optimal freight aircraft for Canada’s North. Large front wheels allow it to operate onto short gravel runways, and as required onto soft, unprepared or ice runways. Its simple design is what makes it resilient to the harsh climate of Canada’s North.
The aircraft has a cargo capacity of up to 11,700 pound or a bulk fuel capacity of 6800 litres of gasoline or diesel fuel.
he Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA) was launched with special guests and community leaders in attendance.
The launch event was held at the NADF office in Thunder Bay with traditional ceremonies performed by a local elder and drum group. The ABPA will be initially run by an all-Indigenous powerhouse board of directors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. The founders of the non-profit corporation include:
• John Beardy
• Brian Davey
• Ron Marano
• Rachael Paquette
• Jason Rasevych
• Jason Thompson
The ABPA unveiled its organizational brand, mission, vision, values and the launching of its website www.anishnawbebusiness.com.
The ABPA aims to stimulate and promote the growth of the First Nation business community in northern Ontario. The ABPA is accepting memberships for two classes; Anishnawbe Business Members and Associate Business Members from northeastern and northwestern Ontario and First Nations communities from Treaty #3, Treaty#5, Treaty #9, the Robinson Superior 1850 Treaty and Robinson Huron Treaty areas.
With First Nation political organizations focused on analyzing the implications of public policy often reacting to partisan announcements, it leaves a void and need for support and advocacy for the First Nation business community.
Jason Rasevych, a Ginoogaming First Nation band member is appointed to serve as the President of the ABPA. He is no stranger to the challenges that First Nations’ economic development corporations and indigenous entrepreneurs face in the marketplace.
“We need greater diversity and inclusion at all levels of the northern Ontario business environment. We must work together to tackle socio-economic barriers that lead to unemployment and financial hardships in our First Nations. The ABPA is here to provide a stronger voice for the First Nation business community and prioritize the need to address these systemic issues,” Rasevych said. Throughout Jason’s career, he has broken through barriers by securing ownership and equity for First Nations in major projects. He has led in negotiating agreements between First Nations, government and industry proponents that includes preferred procurement programs and hiring policies targeting First Nations peoples. In 2018 he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Economic Developers by CANDO (Council of Advancement of Native Development Officers) for his work in the North.
Morgan Fuels
With more than 80 years of industry experience, Morgan Fuels is a family-owned business that specializes in the installation and delivery of fuels and fuel systems. Servicing all of Northwestern Ontario, Morgan Fuels has offices in Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Red Lake and Kenora. The firm is one of 100 organizations representing the region at the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Mining Showcase at the PDAC Conference and Trade Show. Held in Toronto from March 3-6 and featuring 25,000 attendees from more than 135 countries, PDAC is one of the world’s leading mineral and exploration conferences and trade shows.
Representatives from Morgan Fuels meet with prospective clients at international mining convention in Toronto.
Jannatec Technologies Showcases Northern Ontario Innovation at PDAC International Mining Convention in Toronto
Jannatec Technologies, servicing all of Northern Ontario, shines the international spotlight on how the firm maximizes the use of technology such as its ENSO platform and new smart helmet to create a competitive advantage for its clients. As a premier service provider to the mining industry, the firm maintains, installs and repairs communications infrastructure required for underground communications, wireless RFID tracking and data services. Specializing in communications hardware such as radios, leaky feeder and wi-fi products, proximity detection equipment, corded and cordless cap lamps, Jannatec technologies is one of 110 businesses representing the region at the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Mining Showcase at the PDAC 2019. Featuring approximately 25,000 attendees from over 135 countries, PDAC is one of the world’s leading mineral exploration conference and trade shows.
Bridgette Onuki, Senior Account Representative and Marc Brunette, Sales and Project Manager from Jannatec Technologies, greeted hundreds of potential clients from around the world while attending PDAC 2019.
TopVu
Yvan Brulé, Business Developer at TopVu, a company that services all of Northern Ontario, struck up new deals and networked with prospective clients to promote how this technology firm delivers innovative solutions for tracking and location services. Specializing on improving safety with its patented eTagBoard system and enhancing quality control and customized software solutions, TopVu is a first-time participant at the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Showcase at the PDAC. Featuring 25,000 attendees from over 135 countries, PDAC is one of the world’s leading mineral exploration conference and trade shows.
Northern Superior Structural Solutions
Bill Boulton, President of Northern Superior Structural Solutions, explained to companies attending PDAC 2019 how to save time and money when building or installing mine camps, First Nation housing and much more. Based in Thunder Bay, Northern Superior Structural Solutions is a first-time participant and one of 110 businesses representing the region at the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Mining Showcase. Featuring approximately 25,000 attendees from over 135 countries, PDAC is one of the largest mineral exploration conference and trade shows in the world.
Origin
Experts from Origin of Thunder Bay were on hand at PDAC 2019 to introduce the mining industry to specialized services that focus on work readiness training, mentorship and employment support for Indigenous people. Working with individuals, communities and employers to support sustainable workforce outcomes for Indigenous people, Origin is one of 110 businesses representing the region at the FedNor-funded Northern Ontario Mining Showcase.
Here is video From the Origin Grand Opening in Thunder Bay two and a half years ago:
