OFIA says Little Support has been Shown for Bill 151

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says the McGuinty Government doesn't have a lot of support for its Forest Tenure Legislation.

The OFIA attended hearings last week in Toronto on Bill 151 and says a majority of presenters expressed concern with the Act.

Scott Jackson is a spokesperson for the OFIA and says the legislation doesn't address the concerns of the forest industry.

Jackson says the legislation should not just create new employment opportunities, but needs to protect the existing forestry operations.

Police Costs lower in Kenora lower in 2010 than expected

The OPP managed to patrol the City of Kenora last year for less than expected.

The final audited policing figures for 2010 have been sent to the Kenora Police Board, and it shows cost were almost 600 thousand dollars less than expected.

Inspector Dave Lucas says there are a couple of reasons for the lower costs in 2010.

Lucas says their initial budget was set at 6.4 million dollars, but their actual cost was around 5.8 million dollars.

Ignatieff Visits Northwestern Ontario Today

Northwestern Ontario will see its third national leader in a week.

Liberal leader Micheal Ignatieff is to stop by Thunder Bay later today.

Local Liberal officials say the final details of the visit are still being confirmed.

Man fined for Illegal Gravel Pit

A Vermilion Bay man has been fined 1-thousand dollars for illegally operating an aggregate pit on Crown Land.

Court heard that during the summer of 2010, Daniel Desmarais removed roughly 100-yards of gravel from a pit on Slush Road without the proper permit.

In Ontario, operators require licences and permits that regulate the amount of material removed and how it can be used.

Final Day for Advance Polls

Today is the final day for the advance polls in the Kenora Riding.

Advance polls were held on Friday and Saturday, and will be open again at noon today and will run until 8:00 this evening.

Election day is one week from today, and the candidates in the Kenora Riding will have one final chance to reach out to a bigger audience tonight.

The final all-candidates forum is scheduled for this evening at the Days Inn.

The event is sponsored by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce and gets underway at 7:00 this evening.

MNR Levies Huge Fines for Illegal Hunting

A group of seven hunters from Southern Ontario have been ordered to pay nearly 46-thousand dollars for 30-offences relating to illegal hunting in northwestern Ontario.

Six men and one woman pleaded guilty to numerous offences for the poaching of three adult moose and a deer in the Schreiber area. 

Charges include hunting during the closed season, possessing and abandoning illegally killed animals, unlawfully using another person's licence and obstructing a conservation officer.

One of the men has been banned from hunting for 10-years.

Hampton Demands Help for Border Communities

A Northwestern Ontario MPP wants the McGuinty Government to help border communities.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is suggesting we reduce the liquor control board's mark up of liquor sold at duty free stores.

Hampton is calling on the liquor mark up to be dropped from 50 percent to 30.

Public School Board faces Funding Cuts

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has been hit with a 1.2-million dollar reduction in funds from the Provincial Government.

Funding has been cut in native studies, special education, transportation, professional development, operations as well as classroom computers.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie admits balancing the 2011-2012 budget will be a challenge.

He hopes to have the budget ready for Trusteses on May 24th, with final approval on June 14th.

Green Party Candidate on Talkback this morning

As the countdown to the federal election continues, CJRL News will continue its coverage with the third talk show with the candidates in the Kenora.

This morning, Green Party Candidate Mike Schwindt will make a guest appearance on Talkback.

Talkback can be heard right after the 9:00 news.

Meanwhile, all the candidates in the Kenora Riding will also scheduled to be in attendance at a forum sponsored by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

Its scheduled to take place at the Days Inn starting at 7:00 this evening.