KDSB Homeless Programs

The Chair of the Kenora District Services Board says he's very disappointed with the response he received from Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services.

Rory McMillan wrote Madeleine Meilleur outlining funding concerns for homeless programs and emergency shelters.

McMillan says the Minister's response basically reads "thanks but no thanks".

The Board has given the Kenora Councilor permission to go back and challenge the Minister on homeless issues facing area communities.

Student Summer Jobs

The provinces summer jobs for youth program is back.

Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the goal this year is to have more students hired.

Employers have until april the 30 to apply for subsidies.

Union Gas Rate Increase

Union Gas Customers in northwestern Ontario can expect to pay more for natural gas next month.

Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been given approval to raise rates effective April 1st.

There is also a slight change in the transportation costs.

Forest Industry Crisis

Forest industry and unions say immediate changes to Employment Insurance rules are needed to help displaced forestry workers.

The Forest Products Sector Council says the sector has bled 100-thousand jobs since 2005 and about 40-thousand are stillunemployed.

The United Steelworkers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada suggest the federal and provincial governments have failed to address the scope of the industrycollapse.

But Kenora M-P Greg Rickford say the Harper government hasalready made E-I reforms, citing an extra five weeks of regularbenefits and investments in training as examples.