angusTimmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus rose in Parliament today to praise the professionalism of northern mine rescue teams.  It’s a tough and dangerous job that doesn’t often get a public thank you.

Angus reminded Parliament that the first provincial mine rescue team was established in Timmins following the terrible Hollinger mine fire of 1928.

“Thirty nine men died in the terrible Hollinger mine fire. And out of the tragedy the first mine rescue team was established in Ontario. Today, we have teams that are the best in the world.”

Angus paid tribute to Team Dumas that won in the Timmins region, Team Aurico in KirklandLake as well as Team Vale West and Team Glencore from Sudbury.

“The professionalism of these crews reminds us that the greatest wealth that ever came out of a northern mine is the miners coming home at the end of shift.”

Here is Angus’ full speech to Parliament:

“In 1928, a fire broke out at the 500 foot level of the Hollinger Gold Mine in Timmins.  The closest mine rescue team was over a thousand kilometers away in the coal fields of Pennsylvania.”

“A special train carrying mine rescue crews broke speed records heading north through a brutal blizzard.  But by the time they arrived it was too late.”

“39 men died in that terrible fire. And out of the tragedy the first mine rescue team was established in Timmins.”

“Today, we have teams that the best in the world.  I want to thank the work of the brave mine rescue teams across the north.  The crews who dealt with the McIntyre Fire, the 1984 Falconbridge accident to went underground after the 93 rock burst at Macassa.  Congratulations to the teams who won the recent northern competitions – TEAM DUMAS in Timmins, TEAM AURICO in KirklandLake and the TEAM WEST VALE and TEAM GLENCORE in Sudbury.”

“They remind us that the greatest wealth that ever came out of a mine is the miners coming home at the end of shift.”