Three key note speakers talked at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday to discuss the future in Northern Manitoba.

 

Vice-President of Manitoba Operations for Vale Mark Scott gave an update on the operations of Vale as they are set shut down the smelter and refinery operations in 2018.

 

Furnace operations will decrease in January when the company shifts from 2 to 1 furnace operation. The company has been transitioning employees from the smelter and refinery to the mines and mills to accommodate the reduced work needed.

The goal from Vale over the past few years has been to drive costs down in preparing for the closure.

 

The closure is expected to result in 500 job losses. Vale is in the process of working with the city to help affected employees stay in the Northern region and find employment elsewhere. 300 employees are eligible for retirement in the year of 2019.

 

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Marcel Moody has some big plans for NCN after receiving the urban reserve in Thompson this summer.

 

Moody says NCN wants to work in junction with the City of Thompson to help both parties and to keep the integrity of the city.

 

The reserve is hoping to spend $10 to $20 million at the newly acquired Mystery Lake Lands and no official plans have been made yet. In discussions though, is a new school, nursing station, gas station and to repair the water and sewage in the area.

 

Moody says he hopes that NCN can help revitalize Thompson and still keep competition in the market place.

 

MLA for Thompson Kelly Bindle says the province is looking a diversifying the economy for Northern Manitoba.

 

With major companies dropping out of Northern Manitoba in the past year, Bindle says the government is looking at other projects to help with the community's economy.

He says that things like tourism will help the North in coming years.

 

Bindle was in for the meeting to tell Chamber of Commerce members about the provinces goal for YES North Program which is to help Northern Manitoba stay in top priority.

 

Bindle also addressed other issues like cottage growth on lakes, and the future of the rail line at the meeting, saying both are on the top of the mind of the government.