KL: An Introduction
Kirkland Lake was founded
as a gold mining camp in 1911. By the early 1920’s, the town recorded
the second highest level of gold production in Canada. Throughout
the 1940’s to 1960’s, Kirkland Lake was justifiably known as the
“Hub of the North”; being one of the major industrial-commercial
centres.
The failure of the mining companies to complement their extraction
activities with comprehensive exploration programs lead to a gradual
economic decline in the community. By the time the last major local
mines closed in the late 1990’s, the town was facing an economic
crisis.
Successive town councils during this period recognized the seriousness of the situation and pursued aggressive economic diversification agendas. Tourism, environmental solutions and professional services were targeted as future growth opportunities, and intensive marketing and investment recruitment programs were put into effect.
Today, Kirkland Lake is probably one of the most economically diverse
communities of its size in Northern Ontario.
- Mining remains the major industrial activity. It regained its
footing in 2001, when Foxpoint Resources (now Kirkland Lake Gold
Inc. or KLG) bought the five former producing mines in town and
began intensive exploration work. The amount of gold KLG has found
has created an economic rebound. The mine currently employs about
250 people and has embarked on an aggressive expansion and employee
recruitment program. htey have also set up a unique program to
train prospective miners.
- Forestry continues to play a major role in the town’s economy.
In 2003, Tembec spent $1 million refurbishing its stud mill in
Kenogami. The company recently announced plans to transform the
mill into a value-added centre for the manufacturing of finger-jointed
lumber. The new centre, expected to open at the end of 2005, will
employ between 70 and 92 workers. The new facility is valued at
over $9 million, and is a partnership between Tembec and Domtar.
The plant will be managed and operated by Tembec.
- Tourism is a major seasonal industry, as Kirkland Lake has
emerged as one of the premier snowmobile destinations in the province.
- Professional services are a major employer, reflecting the
impact of organizations serving a district or regional mandate
such as the Department of Veteran Affairs regional client service
centre and the Pinegar Youth Correctional Facility; as well as
health and well-being organizations like the Kirkland & District
Hospital and various social assistance agencies.
- Environmental service companies have gained a firm footing
in the community. Kirkland Lake is now home to companies like
Trans Cycle Industries, Seimen’s Canada and Northland Power, as
well as homegrown success stories like A&A Environmental Services
and Accurassy Laboratories.
The local business community numbers over 300 enterprises. Most are small,
employing 10 people or less. These are primarily in the retail and
service sector. "Blue-collar" jobs still account for around 50 percent
of employment. Increasingly however, these are skilled positions
capitalizing on the high level of post-secondary technical training
held by the local labour force. “White-collar” employment has grown
substantially since the late 1990's, and now accounts for about
30 percent of local employment. This reflects the growth of the
professional services sector noted above, as well as KL’s position
as the business and administrative
centre of northern Timiskaming.
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