The families of miners who have died on the job will be in Bell Park on Labour Day (Sept. 3), asking passersby to sign postcards urging the province to launch an inquiry into mining practices.

Cheryl and Ephraim Dufoe, the parents of Lyle Dufoe, who was killed in a Timmins mine in 2007, will be set up near the amphitheatre, along with the families of Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram, who were killed at Vale's Stobie Mine in 2011.

They'll be joined by representatives from Steelworkers Local 6500, the union representing Vale miners, and Lougheed Funeral Homes managing director Gerry Lougheed Jr., who has been pushing for the mining inquiry.

The postcards will be delivered to Labour Minister Linda Jeffrey in Toronto by the Steelworkers, Cheryl said.

The push for the mining inquiry came after Chenier and Fram's deaths. So far, the province's response has been that an inquiry won't be held in the near future, as it would interfere with inquests examining the men's deaths.

Cheryl said she's hoping the Labour Day festival at Bell Park will lead to a lot of postcards being signed.

“Labour day, of course, is a day to celebrate the contributions that workers in every field have made,” she said.

“Maybe focusing on the mining issue is a bit presumptuous, but this is definitely the day to do it. I know because of my son's worth ethic, it would be fitting.”
But getting more people to sign the postcards is just the beginning, Cheryl said.
A committee made up of the family members of miners who have died on the job and concerned citizens is in the process of being set up.

Cheryl said Lougheed will be working with the families on the committee. She said she hopes his experience with things such as pushing for the four-laning of Highway 69 will work in the group's favour.

The Dufoe family has attempted to provoke changes to mining practices in the past, even going so far as circulating a petition, which was eventually signed by hundreds of people.

Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas presented the petition in the legislature.
“My husband and I have found out over the past five years that we have not been able to make a difference,” Cheryl said.

“It's hoped that with the support of other families and concerned individuals that something will come of this. It's because incidents keep being repeated over and over again.

“Like it's been said in the past, the mining industry has changed over the last 20 or 30 years. We believe the laws should change to reflect and protect the lives of these miners.”

Anyone interested in joining the committee is asked to phone the Dufoes at 705-694-1328.