Via Rail NWO

The move is on again to bring back passenger rail service to Kenora and Thunder Bay.

New Democrat MP Bruce Hyer plans to introduce a private members motion on the issue when parliament resumes.

Hyer says the time is right to restore the service and hopes his motion brings attention to the issue.

Downtown Kenora Funding

The City of Kenora is getting more funding to help fix up the downtown core.

The Ministry of Agriculture, food and Rural affairs has announced a250 thousand dollar grant that will be shared with the KenoraHarbortown Business Improvement Zone.

The funding will help out with landscaping improvements inthe downtown area and also signage and new banners.

The B.I.Z. is expected to contribute 25 thousand dollars aspart of the program.

Hampton Pensions Abitibi

Demands for pension assistance for Ontario's Abitibi-Bowater workers in the Legislature yesterday.

Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says support recently given to Nortel's pension plan should be offered to AbitibiBowater's underfunding pension plan.

Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky says the money given to Nortel was from a pension benefits guarantee fund that guarantees each worker one-thousand dollars per month.

Teaching Awards

Nominations are open for the Ontario Teaching Awards.

Anyone can nominate an educator who is innovative and creative can log onto www.teachingawards.ca

Ontario Teachers Federation President Reno Melatti says Northwestern Ontario has taken home the award before.

Nominations close on April 12th.