While the municipality has reacted with concern, a proposal by a gold mining company to resettle about 250 homes in a part of McGarry Township in northern Ontario has attracted support from many residents. Cadillac Mines mentioned in a meeting with investors last month that it is looking at a “resettlement project” involving about 500 people in the Virginiatown area of McGarry so it can develop the open-pit gold mine, called the Kerr-Addison Project. “Essentially, people are looking forward to that occurring and just want to know when it’s going to happen and how that’s going to happen,” Cadillac CEO and director Rick Howes said at the Sept. 29 Mining Forum Americas event. “We have formed an advisory group with the town. We are in dialogue with the community, municipality, and the provincial government over that town move, and so far everything looks to be good. It’s probably going to take four to five years. There’ll be a two-phase process.” In response, the township said on its website that no decision has been made to “contemplate” the resettlement of any homes. “We understand that uncertainty can lead to worry and frustration,” the statement said. “We ask for your patience as council works through a very significant and complex matter. We will continue asking questions, gathering information and keeping residents informed as reliable information comes available.” Taylor White, a resident of the area who is the co-administrator of the Citizens of McGarry Township Facebook page, said most people she has heard from are “happy” at the prospect of selling their homes to the mine. “Majority of us are mining families, so we get it,” White said in a message to CTV News. “So I think I can speak for a lot of people in the community that we don’t want it to be a negative story about what’s happening here.” On the community page, one person described the plan as a chance to get more money for their home than they ever thought they could, ‘along with the potential for generations of jobs. And not just mining jobs -- engineering, finance, HR, mechanics, trades and countless other careers that could support families for decades to come.” “That means opportunities for our kids to build careers and futures right here in the North instead of having to leave to find them,” the post added. Line Lamontange is the other administrator of the McGarry community page. While her home is close to the Quebec border and so wouldn’t be affected by the resettlement, she said mine development would be a boon for the area. “Even though I know it’s sad for some people, I see the benefits it could bring,” Lamontange said. “Mining is what put V-town on the map many years ago, and supported families that came from all over the world.” The township said it wouldn’t be commenting further on the issue before an Oct. 28 community meeting on the topic to be held at the McGarry Township Community Centre. Cadillac Mines issued a statement this week apologizing for the fact that Howe commented on the resettlement plan ahead of the Oct. 28 community consultation. “Cadillac Mines has publicly committed to hold open and transparent consultations with the community to better understand local interests and expectations, and to ensure that the project brings maximum positive benefits to the region,” the statement said. “The company remains firm in this commitment.”
