MPP Defends Teachers Bill

MPP Bill Mauro hopes some past goodwill is enough to ease any possible labour tensions with local teachers. 

Next week the McGuinty government will force a new contract on public school teachers in the province.

In defending passage of the bill, Mauro understands there could be some animosity but thinks teachers here will remember what the Liberals have done for education in the province.

West Nile Death Reported In Minnesota

There's been a death in Minnesota related to the west nile virus.

State health officials says the elderly woman was hospitalized earlier this month.


There are now 20 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness in our neighbouring state.


There have been no west nile positive mosquitoes trapped in Northwestern Ontario.

New Flu Strain Hits Our Neighbours

Minnesota has recorded its first confirmed case and a second probable case of a new flu strain that people can catch from pigs.

Health officials say both cases involve siblings who most likely were exposed when their family visited a live animal market in Dakota County earlier this month.

The new flu strain has been popping up across the United States but hasn't made its way to Northwestern Ontario.

Kenora MP Excited To Work With New NAN Leader

Congratulations continue to pour in for the new Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is the latest to welcome Harvey Yesno into the fold

Rickford says Yesno brings extensive knowledge and experience with respect to economics, policy and leadership skills.

Rickford is the Parliamentary Assistant for Aboriginal Affairs and he says he looks forward to strengthening the relationship with all 49 NAN communities.

LHIN Launches Online Health Survey

Your chance to say what's good or bad about health care in the Northwest and what the priorities should be, is just a mouse click away.

Laura Kokocinski is the CEO of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network and she says the health authority is launching another online survey.

Kokocinski says they want to ensure they are on the right track.

The survey questions focus on four key areas; accelerated integration of services, improved access to care, improved coordination of mental health and addictions services and chronic disease prevention and management.

All input gathered will be considered for a new 2013-2016 plan.

The survey will run for the next four weeks, and can be accessed at www.northwestlhin.on.ca

Extra Subsidy Turned Down By KDSB

The Kenora District Services Board has turned down a funding request from the Sioux Lookout Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

The Corporation asked the KDSB for an annual $45,000 subsidy.

Chair of the Board Phil Vinet says they want to ensure they balance out their funding.

The KDSB says it already covers 75% of the Corporation's budget (Roughly $995,000)

Vinet says he believes the KDSB does a good job in helping the not-for-profit organizations across the district.

He notes they aren't taking anything away.

The Corporation says they are dealing with a severe staff shortage and crumbling infrastructure.

MPP Reacts To Legislature Recall

Ontario politicians are having their summer recess interrupted.

They're being recalled to the legislature Monday when the Liberal government will introduce a bill to impose a two-year contract on 93,000 Ontario teachers that would cut wages and benefits.

If the bill is passed, the government would also have the power to ban a strike or lockout for the next two school years.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says teachers don't deserve this.

Campbell says the teachers have been bargaining in good faith and have earned the right to continue.

She is accusing Premier McGuinty of manufacturing a crisis.

Campbell adds legislating an agreement could end up costing taxpayers nearly $780-million rather than saving them money.

She also believes it's more about gaining seats in the legislature as the move comes just days before two key by-elections.

Fire Hazard Creeping Up

Looks like the forest fire hazard won't be low for long.


Two new fires were reported yesterday in the Fort Frances district.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the forecast is supposed to be nice for the rest of the week, which will raise the fire hazard to high.

The high hazard areas include Dryden and Kenora