The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says a harmonized sales tax mixed with a planned rate increase at Hydro One will have a crippling effect on fixed and low income families across the North.
Howard Hampton says the Provincial Government is headed down the wrong path.
Hydro One is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate increase of 9.5-percent in 2010 and 13.3-percent in 2011.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
KI Platinex National Chief
Assembly of First Nations National Chief is weighing into the ongoing dispute between Kitchen-nuh-may-koosib Inninwug First Nation and the exploration company Platinex.
Shawn Atleo is urging the province to consult with the first nation community on a land use plan, suggesting mining permits be cancelled until the plan is complete.
Platinex wants to resume exploration on the property near the community under the authority of a 2007 court order.
The band is opposed to such activity.
Shawn Atleo is urging the province to consult with the first nation community on a land use plan, suggesting mining permits be cancelled until the plan is complete.
Platinex wants to resume exploration on the property near the community under the authority of a 2007 court order.
The band is opposed to such activity.
Hospital Deal
The Ontario Hospital Association has reached a negotiated deal for hospital employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The deal impacts workers at 54 hospitals, including those at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.
The four year agreement includes wage increases and the forming of a committee to examine the issue of sick leave.
Both parties have agreed to ratification no later than October 30.
The deal impacts workers at 54 hospitals, including those at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.
The four year agreement includes wage increases and the forming of a committee to examine the issue of sick leave.
Both parties have agreed to ratification no later than October 30.
First Nation Funding
Two Sioux Lookout area First Nations are sharing Provincial funding to develop a community-based land use plan.
Cat Lake and Slate Falls will use the 770-thousand dollars in Northern Heritage Fund cash to identify employment and business opportunities.
The land use plan will help guide future development in forestry, mining, tourism and hydro development.
The initiative is a 3-year project.
Cat Lake and Slate Falls will use the 770-thousand dollars in Northern Heritage Fund cash to identify employment and business opportunities.
The land use plan will help guide future development in forestry, mining, tourism and hydro development.
The initiative is a 3-year project.
Expensive Fire
Its going to cost a Fort Frances man a lot more to burn brush than expected.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has fined Bradley Bodnarchuck 150 dollars and ordered him to pay 45 hundred dollars for the cost of fighting his fire, which got out of control.
Bodnarchuck had been burning wood waste at his cabin on Rainy Lake this past July.
He tried to extinguish it and thought it was out, but the next day it spread into the bush.
An MNR fire ranger crew had to be called into put it out.
He pled guilty to failing to properly extinguish a fire.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has fined Bradley Bodnarchuck 150 dollars and ordered him to pay 45 hundred dollars for the cost of fighting his fire, which got out of control.
Bodnarchuck had been burning wood waste at his cabin on Rainy Lake this past July.
He tried to extinguish it and thought it was out, but the next day it spread into the bush.
An MNR fire ranger crew had to be called into put it out.
He pled guilty to failing to properly extinguish a fire.
Lousy Summer
If you thought it was a cold Summer, you were right!
Temperatures from April to August were below normal across Northwestern Ontario.
CJRL Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the good news is that Summer has finally arrived.
Precipitation levels were above average in Red Lake and Sioux Lookout, but near normal in Kenora, Atikokan, Dryden, Ear Falls and Ignace.
Temperatures from April to August were below normal across Northwestern Ontario.
CJRL Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the good news is that Summer has finally arrived.
Precipitation levels were above average in Red Lake and Sioux Lookout, but near normal in Kenora, Atikokan, Dryden, Ear Falls and Ignace.
Hampton on Forestry
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the McGuinty Government is not addressing the real issues impacting the forest industry.
The Liberals have announced a series of public consultations on how to modernize the sector.
Hampton says he want's to see less talk and more action.
He stresses the Government is trying to create the impression that they are doing something to help Northwestern Ontario communities.
The Liberals have announced a series of public consultations on how to modernize the sector.
Hampton says he want's to see less talk and more action.
He stresses the Government is trying to create the impression that they are doing something to help Northwestern Ontario communities.
Fall Election?
The M.P. for the Kenora Riding says he's disappointed the Liberalswill no longer support the Harper Minority government.
On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff indicated he's withdrawing his support for the Conservatives.
Greg Rickford says he's disappointed by the developments and what it could mean for future infrastructure support for local communities.
Rickford says a fall election is almost a certainty now.
A vote of non-confidence could come as early as the first week inOctober.
On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff indicated he's withdrawing his support for the Conservatives.
Greg Rickford says he's disappointed by the developments and what it could mean for future infrastructure support for local communities.
Rickford says a fall election is almost a certainty now.
A vote of non-confidence could come as early as the first week inOctober.
Fire Update
It has been a quiet forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario.Ministry of Natural Resources
A total of 1,165 hectares burned at this point last year.
The official end to the season is October 31st.
Meanwhile, Ontario is sending more crews to British Columbia to help fight fires in that province.
A total of 1,165 hectares burned at this point last year.
The official end to the season is October 31st.
Meanwhile, Ontario is sending more crews to British Columbia to help fight fires in that province.
Fort Drug Bust
Two Quebec men have been arrested on drug charges in Fort Frances following a routine traffic stop.
Yesterday morning, the OPP pulled over a vehicle for speeding at the west end of Fort Frances on King's Highway.
Police ended up calling in a K-9 officer and seized about 75 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about 12 hundred dollars.
Both men have been charged with possession of Canabis.
They are due to appear in Fort Frances court on September 28th.
Yesterday morning, the OPP pulled over a vehicle for speeding at the west end of Fort Frances on King's Highway.
Police ended up calling in a K-9 officer and seized about 75 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about 12 hundred dollars.
Both men have been charged with possession of Canabis.
They are due to appear in Fort Frances court on September 28th.
Northern Politics
Northern Ontario is getting more attention by the country's political leaders.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Sault Ste. Marie today for anannouncement.
Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals are winding up their meeting in Sudbury today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Sault Ste. Marie today for anannouncement.
Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals are winding up their meeting in Sudbury today.
Bear Wise Hotline
The Ministry of Natural Resources has some numbers to back upwhat people have been saying.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline -- requiring a response bythe M-N-R or police -- are up by thousands of calls over last year.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline -- requiring a response bythe M-N-R or police -- are up by thousands of calls over last year.
Terry Fox Plaque
A Parks Canada plaque honouring Terry Fox now sits at the memorial for the Marathon of Hope runner in Thunder Bay.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday to mark the spot were Fox was forced to abandon his run 29 years ago.
So far over 450 (m) million dollars has been raised in Terry Fox Runs around the world.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday to mark the spot were Fox was forced to abandon his run 29 years ago.
So far over 450 (m) million dollars has been raised in Terry Fox Runs around the world.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Possesion of Drugs
OPP have charged an 18 year old Kenora man with possession of a controlled substance.
The drug enforcement unit found the suspect on Matheson Street and thought he was participating in drug activity.
He was arrested with being in possession of a controlled substance.
The drug enforcement unit found the suspect on Matheson Street and thought he was participating in drug activity.
He was arrested with being in possession of a controlled substance.
Impaired Driver
OPP have charged another person with impaired driving over the weekend.
While on patrol on Saturday, offciers stopped a vehicle on Main Street.
The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested and brought to the detachment.
52 year old Winnipeg Resident, David Norquay was charged with drinking and driving.
While on patrol on Saturday, offciers stopped a vehicle on Main Street.
The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested and brought to the detachment.
52 year old Winnipeg Resident, David Norquay was charged with drinking and driving.
Beaver Brae Renovations
Students will be filing into the hallways of Beaver Brae High School today.
High Schoolers can expect to see some dramatic changes in their building.
Larry Hope is the Director of Education for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they've been busy renovating this summer.
Beaver Brae's classrooms have new furniture and new millwork.
High Schoolers can expect to see some dramatic changes in their building.
Larry Hope is the Director of Education for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they've been busy renovating this summer.
Beaver Brae's classrooms have new furniture and new millwork.
Forestry Meetings
The provincial government is lauching consultations about how to modernize the forestry sector.
In particular, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry is focussing on how wood supplies are licensed, allocated and priced.
Michael Gravelle is the minister responsible and says a number of stakeholder meetings will be held across the north this fall.
There will be two consultations in northwestern Ontario.
The first will be in Dryden on September 29th and the other will be in Thunder Bay on October 1st.
In particular, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry is focussing on how wood supplies are licensed, allocated and priced.
Michael Gravelle is the minister responsible and says a number of stakeholder meetings will be held across the north this fall.
There will be two consultations in northwestern Ontario.
The first will be in Dryden on September 29th and the other will be in Thunder Bay on October 1st.
Registration Night
Almost 40 exhibitors will be taking part in this year's Mass Registration and Information Fair tonight and tomorrow.
The two day event is being held at the Kenora Recreation Centre and Organizer Colleen Neil says parents should bring their cheque books.
The registration fair will run from 6:30 until 8:30 tonight.
The two day event is being held at the Kenora Recreation Centre and Organizer Colleen Neil says parents should bring their cheque books.
The registration fair will run from 6:30 until 8:30 tonight.
OPP School Safety
Kids of all ages will be heading back to school today.
Today marks the first day of classes and the OPP are remindingmotorists to pay close attention to students crossing streets and getting off buses.
Constable Dave Cain of the OPP says drivers should slow down, especially in school zones.
Cain adds that officers will be paying close attention to community safety zones surrounding schools and cracking down on motoristswho travel too fast in those areas.
Today marks the first day of classes and the OPP are remindingmotorists to pay close attention to students crossing streets and getting off buses.
Constable Dave Cain of the OPP says drivers should slow down, especially in school zones.
Cain adds that officers will be paying close attention to community safety zones surrounding schools and cracking down on motoristswho travel too fast in those areas.
No Swimming in Harbourfront
The Kenora Harborfront is going to be out of bounds for swimmersfor the next few days.
The Northwestern Health Unit says recent testing has found high bacterial counts in the water.
As a result, the Harborfront has been posted as Unsafe for Swimming.
The area will remain closed for swimming until the water quality improves.
The Northwestern Health Unit says recent testing has found high bacterial counts in the water.
As a result, the Harborfront has been posted as Unsafe for Swimming.
The area will remain closed for swimming until the water quality improves.
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