Hemlo prospector appointed to the Order of Canada

Donald McKinnon, who helped identify, stake and promote the gigantic Hemlo gold deposit in north-central Ontario in the early 1980s, has been appointed to the Order of Canada.

Born in Cochrane, Ont., in 1929, McKinnon worked in the forestry industry before turning his sights to prospecting in the early 1960s. He has since staked and sold claims across Canada.

McKinnon was named a “Member” of the Order of Canada, one of three levels of rank in the institution (the others being “Companion” and “Officer”). The Member rank recognizes “distinguished service in or to a particular locality, group or field activity.”

He says his appointment is an acknowledgement of the importance of the resource sector to rural Canada.

“Resources are the only thing we have in the north,” he told The Northern Miner. “I played a part in finding mines in the north, and jobs have been created.”

In addition to contributing to the discovery of the Hemlo gold field, near Marathon, McKinnon has been politically active. Beginning in the early 1960s, he served on Timmins’s planning board and council, and later ran for mayor and for the Ontario legislature.

The discovery of the Hemlo deposit gave way to the Williams, David Bell and Golden Giant gold mines, which have created 1,200 full-time jobs. “The best satisfaction in life is to see people working,” he said. “Some of those mines will be there for another 20 years.”

The Hemlo operations produced 9.8 million oz. gold from 1985 to 1994, worth an estimated $3.7 billion. The revenue they generated helped finance the construction of schools, hospitals and other infrastructure projects in the region.

His latest project, a study on map-staking and the effects it would have on northern Ontario, will be presented to the provincial government in February.

Meanwhile, McKinnon has begun exploring for gold and base metals in Norway, which he regards as similar, in some respects, to northern Ontario. “People there want long-term industry in their small towns,” he said. “They want to work.”

McKinnon continues to campaign for economic development in Ontario’s north and has authored numerous reports critical of government policies he views as damaging to the northern economy. “I’ve been vocal for the north, and I will fight for it. I never expected to get the Order of Canada — the disorder of Canada, maybe,” he quipped. “My lawyers say they gave it to me just to shut me up.”

Appointments to the Order of Canada are made by the governor general, based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council of the Order, which meets twice a year under the chairmanship of the chief justice of Canada to consider nominations submitted by members of the public.

Investitures take place each spring and autumn at the governor general’s official residence, Rideau Hall, Ottawa.