Minimum Wage Goes Up

Ontario's Minimum wage has gone up for the first time since 2010.

The Liberal government announced that the wage has moved to 11 dollars an hour, up from 10.25.

The government also announced plans to review and adjust it annually.

The minimum wage will now be tied to the Consumer Price Index to ensure it increase with the cost of living.

Changes will be announced on April 1st and come into effect on October 1st.

City Responds To Snow Removal Concerns

Facebook now has a new use.

The City of Kenora is using the social media website to tell local residents
where and when snow removal will be taking place.

It's all part of a communications plan to deal with a large number of complaints about snow removal in the city this winter.

City staff says the roads department has been scrambling to keep up with
all the snow this year, but they do have a plan of attack.

Today, snow removal will take place along Valley Drive and sidewalk plowing
is scheduled for Lakeside and Minto areas.

Rickford Questions Liberal Decision to Oust Sentators

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says a Justin Trudeau decision to order his party's senators to sit as independents "smacks of something that he's concerned about within his rank and file".

The Liberal leader dropped the political bombshell yesterday.

Rickford calls it a liberal gimmick.

The Minister of State says Trudeau should concentrate his efforts on helping the Conservatives move towards an elected senate.

Impaired Driving Charges on the Rise

The Kenora OPP say they are disappointed in the number of impaired driving charges.

Last month, 10 drunk drivers were arrested.

Staff Sergeant Paul Van Belleghem says it's a disappointing statistic.

In addition to the higher number of impaired drivers, there was also a big jump in the number of motor vehicle accidents last month, with 68 reported in the Kenora
area.

Ontario Fire Marshall To Help Investigate Ignace Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted to help investigate the cause of a massive fire that destroyed Gramma's Supermarket in Ignace early Tuesday morning.

Crews continue to work on mopping up and hitting hot spots and Fire Chief Robert Berube says it was a blaze that caused nothing but problems.

Berube says his firefighters received badly needed help from Wabigoon Fire, Dryden Fire, Hydro One, Union Gas and Ignace Public Works.

City of Dryden Facing Significant Deficit

The City of Dryden is sitting with a 4-million dollar deficit in the 2014 budget year.

A number of factors are included in the shortfall including a reduction in the Domtar Mill rate, a reduction in the annual Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund and an accounting discrepancy in the amount of 1-million dollars from the 2011-2012 budget years.

A media conference was held yesterday to discuss the financial picture and Chief Administrative Officer
Andre Larabie warned there will have to be cuts across the board.

Larabie adds a recovery plan is now in place and staff will be working with council for the next 5-weeks to find ways to cut without impacting the safety of residents and workers.

Fantino Taken To Task For Treatment of Veterans

The only Veterans Affairs Office in northwestern Ontario is scheduled to close its doors for good tomorrow.

A list ditch effort to save Canada's offices appears to have failed after Minister Julian Fantino showed up extremely late for a meeting with veterans in Ottawa.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty expressed his outrage.

Rafferty says there have been eight suicides in just two months and the Conservatives have failed to listen to those that fought for our freedom.

Wasacase Back As Chair of Police Services Board

No changes in the make-up of the Kenora Police Services Board.

Colin Wasacase is back for one more year as chair of the Police Board.

He was acclaimed at the inaugural meeting of 2014 this morning.

Glenda McMillan is also returning for another year as vice-chair.

Dave Canfield is the only other member of the Police Board.

More Bridge Work in NWO This Summer

A bridge on Highway 11 will get some upgrades this year.

The Swamp River Bridge, just west of Shebandowan, will be replaced at a cost of 3-point-2 million dollars.

Thunder Bay-based L-H North will begin work in the spring.