Ontario Strengthening Worker Safety with New Mine Rescue Training Institute

$125 million investment will establish a permanent, state-of-the-art training facility in Sudbury, training 540 new volunteers per week

April 15, 2026

SUDBURY — The Ontario government supports the $125 million investment through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to build a new, state-of-the-art Ontario Mine Rescue Training Institute in Sudbury. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7, the new facility will deliver internationally renowned training and strengthen emergency preparedness as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

"To ensure we emerge more self reliant, Ontario is building mines faster to create tens of thousands of jobs and boost Canadian supply chains", said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines and MPP for King—Vaughan. "To build those mines, we are investing in a pipeline of talented and skilled workers that always return home after a day of work. Safety and responsibility is what defines Ontario's ethical mining sector. This historic investment in Canada's largest mining training centre will expand capacity, train more volunteers, and strengthen emergency response so we keep miners and communities safe."

"Ontario's mine rescue volunteers are among the best-trained emergency responders in the world, and this facility will attract international talent to bring them here," said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. "This is what modern worker safety looks like; a permanent, world-class home for the expertise that mining communities across Ontario, and countries around the globe, have come to rely on."

The 120-acre institute will be funded by the WSIB to deliver advanced, hands-on training in realistic underground and surface mining environments. Once complete, it will train more than 540 mine rescue and fire responder volunteers annually, strengthening Ontario’s 1,000-person volunteer force and ensuring workers have the skills needed to respond in high-risk, time-critical situations. The institute will include:

·                Training in high‑angle rescue, fire response, hazardous materials, confined space and structural collapse

·                Smart classrooms with virtual and augmented reality technology and remote learning capacity, and

·                Accommodations for people to stay during multi-day training courses

The institute will be operated by Ontario Mine Rescue, a division of Workplace Safety North, which has supported mine rescue operations across the province for more than 90 years. By creating a permanent, purpose-built training hub in northern Ontario, the province is expanding access to advanced rescue training, reducing travel burdens on volunteers and strengthening worker safety across the province’s growing mining sector.

“For more than 90 years, Ontario Mine Rescue has set the standard for excellence in mine safety and emergency response,” said Shawn Rideout, Chief Mine Rescue Officer for Ontario Mine Rescue. “This investment is transformational. It will expand training capacity, strengthen readiness across the province and ensure Ontario has the tools and expertise needed to be a leader in mining industry for generations to come.”

Once operational, the facility will also support broader emergency response training, including collaboration with municipal fire services, industrial teams and other partners. It will serve as a centre for innovation and knowledge-sharing, helping maintain Ontario’s leadership in mine safety and preparedness as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.

Quick Facts

·                Ontario Mine Rescue has delivered more than 65,000 hours of training in underground working environments and supported hundreds of rescue operations over its history.

Quotes

"We are so proud to partner with Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue to bring this project to life. This is an investment in health and safety in mining and also an investment in our economy, the Sudbury community, and in the mining industry."

- Jeff LangPresident and CEO, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

"This investment is truly transformative for mine rescue and emergency preparedness in Ontario. A world class mine rescue training academy in Sudbury will strengthen our ability to deliver leading edge training, ensure we are ready for the future growth of mining in the province, and position Ontario as a global leader in mine safety and emergency response. This facility will also allow advanced emergency preparedness and response training to be delivered here at home, rather than requiring organizations to seek this expertise outside of Canada, reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a world class mining jurisdiction."

- Mike ParentPresident and CEO, Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue

"As global demand for critical minerals continues to surge, Ontario stands ready as a reliable and secure supply chain partner. The new state-of-the-art Ontario Mine Rescue Training Institute will ensure our province’s rescue and emergency preparedness capabilities keep pace, enabling industry to invest with confidence and positioning our world-class workforce for new opportunities."

- Vic FedeliMinister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

"Ontario’s global reputation in mining is built in part on the skill and expertise of the people who keep workers safe. The new Ontario Mine Rescue Training Institute will strengthen that legacy through world-class instruction, ensuring highly skilled mining safety and health professionals pass on their knowledge to the next generation of workers and continue Ontario’s world-class reputation as a leader in safety."

- George PirieMinister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

"Ontario Mine Rescue has a proven track record in public safety and protection, and this announcement today continues this work. As an Ontario Corps partner, my ministry is proud of the work Ontario Mine Rescue is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by creating a network of partners and dedicated volunteers ready to respond to local emergencies and deploy critical resources at a moment’s notice."

- Jill DunlopMinister of Emergency Preparedness and Response

"Having a permanent facility to provide full scale simulation training for technical rescue while using modern tools will be a great asset to the mining community. This will provide essential training by incorporating modern tools and technologies; the facility would enhance skill development, improve response times, and strengthen coordination among teams. Ultimately, this leads to safer mining operations, reduced incident severity, and better preparedness for emergency situations across the industry."

- Bill RosenbergMember of Provincial Parliament for Algoma – Manitoulin

"This investment by the Workplace Safety Insurance Board, supported by the Government of Ontario, reinforces Greater Sudbury’s position as a global centre of excellence in mining innovation and safety. As the only facility of its kind in Canada, the new Mine Rescue Training Academy will strengthen worker safety, create new economic opportunities, and attract talent and expertise from around the world, helping ensure our community remains at the forefront of responsible mining for decades to come."

- Paul LefebvreMayor of Sudbury