Monday, December 10, 2012

First Nations Rally in Protest of Bill C-45

Aboriginals across Northwestern Ontario rallied today against Bill C-45.

Rallies were held in Kenora outside MP Greg Rickfords office and in Dryden outside the Government buildings.

Onigaming Chief Norman Copenance spoke during the rally in Kenora, and says its time for chiefs to come together and stand up for their self governance.
While Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister says the government did not speak with First Nations about possible changes affecting their communities.

The Rallies were held in part of a national day of action names "Idle No More!"

Sioux Lookout Man Arrested on Prostitution Charges

A Sioux Lookout man has been charged with two counts of juvenile prostitution.

Last month, Provincial Police went to a home after receiving information that there illegal activities going on inside.

Police confirmed that prostitution was taking place, and all of the victims involved were under 18 years old.

Police say the accused is 30 year old Steven Robertson.

He remains in custody and will appear in court on Friday.

Kenora's First Electric Car Charging Station

Kenora now has it's first ever electric car charging station.

The station has been set up at the Best Western Lakeside Inn by Sun Country Highway.

Vice President Chris Misch says the project came together pretty quick.

Misch adds over 80 charging stations are being set up coast to coast along the Trans-Canada Highway to commemorate the highways 50th anniversary and create the world longest green highway.

Both OSSTF and EFTO Begin Job Actions This Week

Both elementary and secondary school teachers will begin their job action today.

Elementary teachers within the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will be staging a one day strike tomorrow.

As a result, all elementary schools within the board will be closed.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says that it was a unanimous decision.

Elementary Schools will re-open on Wednesday.

Teachers Job Action to Affect NorWOSSA Leagues

The job action at the public school board is creating some confusion for parents at Kenora Catholic District School board.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says it will be business as usual at all their schools this week.

But she admits the job action is having an impact on their sports teams.

Eikre says the job actions will affect their high school sports teams, because the NorWOSSA season has been put on hold due to the withdrawal of the Secondary School Teachers from extra curricular activities.
Eikre adds that school buses will be running tomorrow, even though all elementary schools will be closed.

Rickford Impatient for Highway Twinning to Begin

The Ministry of Transportation is taking some heat for failing start work to twin the Trans-Canada highway west of Kenora.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the project was ready to roll over a year ago.

He blames the province's inability to negotiate a deal with area first nations.

Rickford says the federal government is still committed to the project but he wants the province to confirm funding for twinning the entire length of highway from the Manitoba Border right to the City of Kenora.

Ontario Liberals Debate Northern Autonomy

Ontario's Liberal leadership hopefuls don't all agree on whether northern Ontario needs its own regional government.

Glen Murray wants full autonomy for the north so it can forge its own path. Speaking at the leadership debate in Thunder Bay, Murray says the north should make its own decisions.

But not everyone agrees. Kathleen Wynne is warning that it sounds like separation, and that's not where she wants to go.

Meanwhile, Gerard Kennedy told the audience more needs to be done for Aboriginal students.

Other topics of discussion included the Ring of Fire and Economic Development in Northern Ontario.


Hospitals to Study Non-Emergency Transfers


Area hospitals are going to study the management of non-emergency patient transfers.

Lake of the Woods District Hospital CEO Mark Balcaen says hospitals and services boards West of Thunder Bay are taking part in the study.

Belcaen adds the goal of the study is to find financial solutions for payment of the transfers after the Kenora District Services Board announced it will no longer fund the program.

Youth Faces Charges for Taking Replica Gun to School

A youth who brought a replica handgun to the Fort Frances high school last week is facing charges.

Provincial Police have charged the youth with two counts of assault with a weapon, posession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failure to comply with an order.

The accused remains in custody and is expected to appear in court today.

A Good Weekend for PeeWee and Midget Thistles

The Kenora double "a" PeeWee Thistles skated to the B-Side title at their own tournament over the weekend at the Rec. Center.

The Thistles doubled up the St. James Canadians 4-2 in their final game of the tournament on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles earned a split of their weekend series against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Yesterday, the Wheat Kings earned a 3-2 in in a shootout at the Rec. Center.

Saturday the Thistles had a solid defensive effort in a 1-0 win.

Scott Parsons earned the shutout for the Kenora Midgets making 35 saves.

Saints Win Manitoba Hockey Tournament

A good weekend for the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team.

The Saints were in Killarny, Manitoba and walked away with the gold medal from a high school tournament there.

T.A. went through the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record including a 5-4 win over Deloraine in the A-side final.

Jackson Fregeau led the way with three goals in the final.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls team spent the weekend on the road.

The Broncos attended a tournament in Portage La Prairie, and lost the gold medal game to the
NorWOSSA rivals from Fort Frances 3-2.

Yesterday, Beaver Brae was back on the road in Sioux Lookout and skated to a 7-0 win over the Warriors.

The Broncos had seven different goal scorers in that contest.