TEMISKAMING DEVELOPMENT FUND COR

On March 6, 1989 Dofasco announced that the Sherman and Adams Mines would be permanently closed effective March 31, 1990. This closure affected approximately 700 jobs between the two mines. To lessen the economic impact of these closures, Dofasco committed a $4 million community adjustment fund for regional development. The funding was to be administered by a committee formed under the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Projects that led to long term employment of the local population were to get priority.

A meeting was held on October 30th to discuss the proposed goals and structure of the Committee with all of the leaders of the various communities. In addition, those present at the meeting will act as a Selection Committee to nominate and agree on individuals from the area who will sit on the Committee. Dofasco/Cliffs will appoint one member as will the Union, the remaining five positions were to be filled from the names put forward at the meeting.

In the beginning the Temiskaming Development Fund Committee was formed and in conjunction with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation were the most appropriate mechanism to distribute the fund. To get the funding in place Dofaxco co-ordinated a meeting of elected officials from the affected areas to select seven (non-political) local representative to sit on the TDFC. A representative of the selection committee extended an invitation to the selected candidates to sit on the TDFC. Once this was approved by Dofasco, a Trustees Agreement between Dofasco and NOHFC was prepared with the assistance of the MNDM Legal Services Branch and the funds were released to NOHFC in Trust and a bank account established. TDFC was now ready to entertain viable project applications.

On September 17, 1997, TDFC was divested to the local board which is today known as the Temiskaming Development Fund Corporation. This board is comprised of eight directors and seven ex-officio mayoral members. One director is representative of the United Steelworkers. The local office has two full time staff members.