SYNERGY NORTH is proud to share that we’ve been recognized with the 2025 Ontario One Call Transformative Safety Education & Engagement Award for our public safety campaign, “Digging Safely is More Than Just a Call or Click.” This provincial award celebrates organizations that go the extra mile to promote safe digging through meaningful education, outreach, and community engagement.

Bringing Safety to Life

Our campaign introduced a “safety obsessed neighbour”, the kind of person who’s always looking out for everyone on the block. Through humour and storytelling, he reminded us that calling Ontario One Call is just the first step. Real safety continues through every stage of your project, from verifying locates to keeping your paperwork on site.

“Many people understand the importance of contacting Ontario One Call, but not everyone realizes that safety doesn’t stop there,” said Amy Kembel, Vice President, Human Resources, Safety & Corporate Risk at SYNERGY NORTH. “Transforming this message into a relatable video ensures it resonates and sticks with people.”

And it has. Since launching the campaign, dig-ups in Thunder Bay and Kenora have dropped by 40%, proof that when people are informed and work together, our whole community becomes safer.

What are Locates? Why Do They Matter?

Before starting any digging project, whether you’re planting a tree, putting in a fence post, or building your dream backyard, it’s important to know what’s below the surface.

A locate identifies the position of underground utilities such as electrical cables, gas lines, water pipes, and communication lines. These systems power our homes, connect our communities, and keep everything running smoothly.

At SYNERGY NORTH, our Locates Team plays a vital role in that process. They not only locate our own electrical infrastructure but also complete locates on behalf of Tbaytel and the City of Thunder Bay Streetlighting. Their work helps protect essential systems, so they remain reliable for everyone in our community.

A big thank-you to Ontario One Call for recognizing our efforts, and to everyone in our community who takes the time to plan ahead, call before they dig, and keep safety top of mind.

Why does it matter?

Because even a small digging project can lead to service outages, costly repairs, or serious injury if underground utilities are struck. Taking time to request a locate helps prevent those accidents, keeping people, property, and neighbourhoods safe.

Requesting a locate is free, quick, and the law. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and the essential services we all rely on every day. The “Digging Safely is More Than Just a Call or Click” campaign showed how creativity, community connection, and a little humour can make safety messages stick.

Before You Dig

Planning a weekend project or hiring someone to do it for you? Here are a few simple steps to dig safely:

• Plan Ahead – Locates can take a few days to complete, book at least five days before you dig (the earlier, the better!). Visit ontarioonecall.ca to request a locate for your project.
• Private Property Lines – Not all buried lines are public. Some may require a private locate. You’ll be advised if any privately owned lines (like a gas line to your BBQ or electrical line to a shed) need special attention.
• Keep markings visible – If flags or paint markings fade or get disturbed, ask for a refresh before digging begins.
• Limit of Locate – Provide a clear, precise area for your locate request, it helps speed things up and ensures accuracy.
• Clear Locate paperwork– Even if there are no utilities within your Limit of Locate, keep your “clear” paperwork on site while work is underway.
• Hiring a contractor? – Make sure your contractor has contacted Ontario One Call before they start digging.