Memorandum Signed to Transfer Ownership of ELA

It's a great day for all supporters of the Experimental Lakes Area.

After over a year of fighting the government a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today between the government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the agreement was months in the making.

Rickford adds that the agreement includes operational support throughout the summer during the transition period to the IISD and that the IISD will continue negotiations with the Ontario government.

Dryden Man Charged for Wielding Axe

A Dryden man's quest has resulted in some trouble with the law.

City Police were contacted on Monday regarding a man, who appeared to be drunk, wandering around
Wilson's Trailer Park carrying a long handled axe.

Police arrived, and say that the man told officers he was looking for someone and was " going to chop them up into little bits".

As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Richard Halverson with uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

T3P Employees Vote in Favour of Unionization

An almost unanimous vote by the Treaty Three Police Service.

Public Service Alliance of Canada Regional Vice President Sharon DeSousa says 62 members voted yes to union protection by PSAC and only two voted against.

DeSousa says the fight continues regarding what jurisdiction the service will fall under.

She says they want to fall under provincial jurisdiction, not federal.

DeSousa says a number of issues will be resolved once the jurisdictional challenge has been settled.

Government Plans to Look at Flooded Communities

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the federal government is focused right now on helping First Nations repair damage caused by flooding.

MPP Gilles Bisson is calling on both levels of government to start looking at moving some communities in the far north to higher ground.

Rickford admits it is an issue that should be looked at.

He notes moving some communities would be part of a long term plan.

More Questions on ELA

More discussions are continuing about the future of the Experimental Lakes Area.

In the legislature Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell asked the government why scientists were not allowed back into the ELA.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Laurel Broten says the governmental is still working on a deal to take over the facility.

Broten says the province does understand the urgency surrounding the ELA and is working as fast as it can to re-open the facility.

Three Killed in Wunnumin Lake House Fire

Tragedy in the remote northern community of Wunnumin Lake First Nation.

Three people are dead following a house fire early yesterday morning.

All three were females and aged 1, 6 and 21.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

Officials say the community of roughly 600-people is devastated.

Crisis teams from surrounding communities have been sent to Wunnumin Lake.

The First Nation is located 360-kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout.