THUNDER BAY — Another major Northwestern Ontario employer is giving an incentive to its workers for receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
Each employee at Impala Canada's Lac des Iles palladium mine gets a $100 gift card.
Essential workers who can't work from home became eligible to be vaccinated under the provincial rollout.
To date, 540 mineworkers have received their first dose.
Impala said it collaborated with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on a plan for its staff which included a dedicated Thunder Bay-based clinic as well as a clinic hosted at the mine over two days.
At least 54 per cent of the total LDI employee and contractor workforce have now obtained their first dose.
The company said it continues to work with TBDHU to ensure everyone who works at the mine will be vaccinated in the near future.
Lac des Iles is one of the first mine sites in Ontario to host a vaccination clinic.
"Having our members get the opportunity to be vaccinated at site was game changing," said Sharen Brownson, the president of United Steelworkers Local 9422.
Mine manager Bryan Wilson said "The COVID-19 pandemic has touched each and every one of us, creating workplace, personal and community challenges we could never have imagined. By working together to get the shot, we are offered a glimmer of hope that end to this challenging time may be in sight."
According to an Impala Canada statement, the company incorporated "education, awareness and celebration" around the vaccination program.
It launched a selfie challenge to encourage workers to share photos of their vaccinations.
"Out of gratitude to everyone for playing their individual roles, LDI team members who get vaccinated are recognized with a $100 gift card," the statement said.
Elsewhere in the region, EACOM Timber Corporation provides a $200 incentive for employees who get the first dose of vaccine, and a further $150 after they receive the second dose.
The company's operations include a mill at Ear Falls.
EACOM workers who get a single-dose vaccine receive $350.
