Minimum Wage Campaign Growing in Ontario

A coalition of groups across the province want to see Ontario's minimum wage hit 14-dollars an hour.

Demonstrations in several cities are planned today in hopes convincing government to up the current rate of 10.25.

Most rallies are in southern Ontario, but organizer Sonia Singh says their campaign is growing with people taking a larger role in Thunder Bay and Kenora.

Singh says a wage of 14-dollars would bring many people now struggling over the poverty line.

See says the protests the protests will take place every month on the 14th until the wage is increased.

Northwest LHIN Reappoints 2 Members

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network has reappointed 2 members to it's board of directors.

Dennis Gushalak of Ear Falls and Diane Loubier of Ignace will remain with the LHIN for the next three years.

The LHIN oversees regional health care planning and funding.

Treaty 3 Commemorates Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School

Grand Council Treaty 3 is commemorating the students affected by the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School.

The gathering gets underway today at 11:00 at the school site on Airport Road.

Elder Stephen Kejick will speak followed by a traditional drum and dance.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Council Defers Decision on Flying Lanterns

Kenora city council has deferred a resolution to ban the sale of flying lanterns.

Council has decided to do more research before requesting the province the sale of the lanterns.

Mayor Dave Canfield says they want to discuss the issue with other municipalities first.

Canfield says council has recently gotten information claiming the lanterns have never caused any forest fires or property damage.

Businesses Seek New Loading Zone

Businesses on Bernier Drive are seeking a new loading zone.

Kathy Oberg is with the Brown and Associates Planning Group and says the concerns stem from talks back in 2008.

Oberg says the plan is still to create a new loading zone during the phase 2 utility upgrades on the Harbourfront.

She has also provided council with a letter displaying intern solutions.

Forest Fire Season Remains Quiet

This year's forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario is far from over.

Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Debbie MacLean says while things have been quiet, they are expected to pick up.

McLean says crews are always readily available.

Currently, there are 17-active fires in the region.

MNR Cutting 102 Jobs

Some bad news for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A number of jobs are being cut including 3 positions here in Kenora.

The moves comes as budget cuts have lead to the MNR losing 102 positions.

Dryden and Thunder Bay are losing 7 employees, while Fort Frances, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout are losing 2.