A government source tells The Canadian Press the 650-million dollars Ontario has spent in the fight against swine flu is partly to blame for the province's deepening deficit.
Experts say the province is likely burdened with a deficit ashigh as 22-billion dollars.
We'll find out if that's the case later today when Finance Minister Dwight Duncan delivers his fall economic statement.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says we'll have to wait until the spring budget to hear the government's strategy for digging the province out of its fiscal hole.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ontario Flu Shots
People in the high risk group to contract the swine flu shouldstart rolling their sleeves.
They can start getting their needles to stave off the H-1-N-1virus starting Monday in Ontario.
The high risk group includes adults under the age of 65 with chronic conditions, health-care workers, caregivers for high-risk groups, people in remote communities, pregnant women and healthy children six months to five years of age.
Everyone else may have to wait until mid-November or December toget the vaccine.
They can start getting their needles to stave off the H-1-N-1virus starting Monday in Ontario.
The high risk group includes adults under the age of 65 with chronic conditions, health-care workers, caregivers for high-risk groups, people in remote communities, pregnant women and healthy children six months to five years of age.
Everyone else may have to wait until mid-November or December toget the vaccine.
Domtar Ear Falls Operation
The Domtar Mill in Ear Falls is still running.
Company Spokesperson Bonnie Skene says unfortunately economic challenges haven't improved enough to maintain operations.
Skene says the Sawmill will be shut-down in different phases.
She says the entire facility will be winterized by the end of the year.
Company Spokesperson Bonnie Skene says unfortunately economic challenges haven't improved enough to maintain operations.
Skene says the Sawmill will be shut-down in different phases.
She says the entire facility will be winterized by the end of the year.
Catholic School Board Enrollment
The Kenora Catholic District School Board seems to be bucking the trend of declining enrolment in northwestern Ontario.
Most boards are reporting significantly lower student numbers this year, but the separate board in Kenora continues to enjoy fairly stable enrolment figures.
Erica Baily is the Director Of Finance for the catholic board and says while figures won't be finalized until the end of the month, they have seen an increase of three students over their initial projections this year.
She adds thats up by two students over last years final enrolment figures.
Most boards are reporting significantly lower student numbers this year, but the separate board in Kenora continues to enjoy fairly stable enrolment figures.
Erica Baily is the Director Of Finance for the catholic board and says while figures won't be finalized until the end of the month, they have seen an increase of three students over their initial projections this year.
She adds thats up by two students over last years final enrolment figures.
Lakehead University
The latest Lakehead University advertising campaign is focusing on its students.
The ``Think for Yourself'' campaign is intended to bolster the university's reputation as a school that encourages its students to be innovative and independent thinkers.
The university decided on the campaign after research found 50per cent of Torontonians hadn't heard of Lakehead.
The ``Think for Yourself'' campaign is intended to bolster the university's reputation as a school that encourages its students to be innovative and independent thinkers.
The university decided on the campaign after research found 50per cent of Torontonians hadn't heard of Lakehead.
Mining Act Legislation
Long awaited changes to the provincial Mining Act have been approved by the Ontario Legislature.
The bill passed third reading at Queen's Park yesterday.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says its a relief to have the legislation passed, but they aren't done yet.
Gravelle suggests the new Mining Act should reduce the number of conflicts between prospectors and mining companies and landownersand first nation communities.
The bill passed third reading at Queen's Park yesterday.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says its a relief to have the legislation passed, but they aren't done yet.
Gravelle suggests the new Mining Act should reduce the number of conflicts between prospectors and mining companies and landownersand first nation communities.
Council on posters
The City of Kenora wants to put an end to taping posters on light posts.
The Property and Planning Committee has decided to purchase a community bulletin board for 25 hundred dollars.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says if the bulletin board is well received they may purchase another.
The new community bulletin board will be placed at City Hall.
The Property and Planning Committee has decided to purchase a community bulletin board for 25 hundred dollars.
Councillor Wendy Cuthbert says if the bulletin board is well received they may purchase another.
The new community bulletin board will be placed at City Hall.
Landfill Advisory Committee
The Kenora Area Landfill Advisory Committee is back up and running.
The committee was revived after the city decided it wanted to start shipping its municipal waste to the Jones Road facility.
Councillor Dave McCann says they had to make a few changes to the committee structure, reducing the membership from eight people to just six.
McCann says prior to amalgamtion the old committee used to have representation from the former Towns of Jaffray Melick and Keewatin.
The new committee now just has representation from the City of Kenora.
The committee was revived after the city decided it wanted to start shipping its municipal waste to the Jones Road facility.
Councillor Dave McCann says they had to make a few changes to the committee structure, reducing the membership from eight people to just six.
McCann says prior to amalgamtion the old committee used to have representation from the former Towns of Jaffray Melick and Keewatin.
The new committee now just has representation from the City of Kenora.
2010 Budget Meetings
The City of Kenora is starting its budget process a little earlier than normal this year.
A public meeting is going to be held next month to get feedback from local rate payers about how they want their tax dollars to be spent.
Rory McMillan is chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and says their goal is to have the budget ready early in 2010.
The public meeting will take place on November 16th.
Anyone who wishes to make a deputation is asked to contact the city clerk.
A public meeting is going to be held next month to get feedback from local rate payers about how they want their tax dollars to be spent.
Rory McMillan is chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and says their goal is to have the budget ready early in 2010.
The public meeting will take place on November 16th.
Anyone who wishes to make a deputation is asked to contact the city clerk.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Life Saving Award
Two Kenora Residents have been presented life-saving awards forhelping to rescue a man who was drowning in Lake of the Woods.
Lori Burton and Charlie Strachen were presented certificatesfrom the Royal Canadian Humane Association yesterday byKenora Mayor Len Compton.
Strachan was also given a bronze medal for his actions.
On July 4th, 2007, an intoxicated man was heard flounderingin the water off the Main Street Dock.
Burton called 9-1-1 to help, while Strachan dove into thewater to try and rescue the drowning man.
He was eventually brought to dry land and was taken tohospital where he was treated and released.
The actions of Burton and Strachen were described ascourageous and their intervention helped save a life.
Lori Burton and Charlie Strachen were presented certificatesfrom the Royal Canadian Humane Association yesterday byKenora Mayor Len Compton.
Strachan was also given a bronze medal for his actions.
On July 4th, 2007, an intoxicated man was heard flounderingin the water off the Main Street Dock.
Burton called 9-1-1 to help, while Strachan dove into thewater to try and rescue the drowning man.
He was eventually brought to dry land and was taken tohospital where he was treated and released.
The actions of Burton and Strachen were described ascourageous and their intervention helped save a life.
Rafferty on Forestry Funding
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty has given his support to a motion calling on the Federal Government to increase forestry sector assistance to levels provided for the auto sector.
Rafferty told the House of Commons this week that he would like the Government negotiate an end to the U-S Black Liquor subsidy and compensate Canadian mills to bring them on par with their American counterparts.
Rafferty adds Money earmarked for Mill's in Northwestern Ontario won't necessarily be going to those facilities.
Rafferty told the House of Commons this week that he would like the Government negotiate an end to the U-S Black Liquor subsidy and compensate Canadian mills to bring them on par with their American counterparts.
Rafferty adds Money earmarked for Mill's in Northwestern Ontario won't necessarily be going to those facilities.
Confederation College Student Ages
Confederation College hosts a variety of age groups in its classrooms across Northwestern Ontario.
A presentation on how the different generations work together and collaborate at school was presented at the Kenora campus on Friday.
Coordinator of Councilling Services Jim Lees says the loss of forestry related jobs means more and more baby boomers are hitting the books alongside Generation Y.
Generation Y is more comfortable with computers and technology, while many baby boomers need to learn how to use the equipment while studying the course work as well.
A presentation on how the different generations work together and collaborate at school was presented at the Kenora campus on Friday.
Coordinator of Councilling Services Jim Lees says the loss of forestry related jobs means more and more baby boomers are hitting the books alongside Generation Y.
Generation Y is more comfortable with computers and technology, while many baby boomers need to learn how to use the equipment while studying the course work as well.
OPSEU
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is questioning how the Ontario Government can be considered one of Canada's top 100 employers.
The Province was included in a list recently published in Maclean's magazine.
OPSEU president Warren Thomas says the government's decision not to pay out vacation or statutory pay to studentsworkers this past summer is a clear reason why it shouldn't be on the list.
Thomas says the government's decision shortchanged students roughly 800-dollars each.
The Province was included in a list recently published in Maclean's magazine.
OPSEU president Warren Thomas says the government's decision not to pay out vacation or statutory pay to studentsworkers this past summer is a clear reason why it shouldn't be on the list.
Thomas says the government's decision shortchanged students roughly 800-dollars each.
Land Ambulance Base
The Kenora District Services Board has renewed its land ambulance base lease with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital for another year.
Board Chair and City Councillor Rory McMillan says they're dedicated to finding a new location for the land ambulance.
McMillan says the establishment of a new land ambulance base is one of the many recomendations in the board's strategic plan.
Board Chair and City Councillor Rory McMillan says they're dedicated to finding a new location for the land ambulance.
McMillan says the establishment of a new land ambulance base is one of the many recomendations in the board's strategic plan.
Operations Building New Tennants
The City of Kenora is planning to lease out some office space in the Operations building on Barsky's Hill.
The city has negotiated a 15 year agreement with Ontario Power Generation for the rental of about four thousand square feet of vacant space in the building.
Councillor Dave McCann says the agreement will net the city about 100 thousand dollars a year.
Renovations to the office space will cost about 200 thousand dollars and the city has agreed to pick up 55 thousand dollars of that amount.
OPG will pay for the rest of the renovation costs.
The city has negotiated a 15 year agreement with Ontario Power Generation for the rental of about four thousand square feet of vacant space in the building.
Councillor Dave McCann says the agreement will net the city about 100 thousand dollars a year.
Renovations to the office space will cost about 200 thousand dollars and the city has agreed to pick up 55 thousand dollars of that amount.
OPG will pay for the rest of the renovation costs.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Shelter Box
A Kenora man will be taking part in the latest Shelterbox campaign.
Tom Henderson is the head of the Rotary International Project and says local Rotary Member Ron Noseworthy will be taking part in a disaster relief project in Sumatra.
Henderson spoke to members of the local Rotary club on Sunday.
Ron and Claire Noseworthy are members of the local rotary club and also part of the International Shelterbox response team.
Tom Henderson is the head of the Rotary International Project and says local Rotary Member Ron Noseworthy will be taking part in a disaster relief project in Sumatra.
Henderson spoke to members of the local Rotary club on Sunday.
Ron and Claire Noseworthy are members of the local rotary club and also part of the International Shelterbox response team.
NAN Chief
John Domm has resigned as Chief of Police with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.
Domm will vacate the position on Friday to become the new Chief of the Rama Police Service.
Domm was hired in 2006 and has served as both Deputy Chief and Chief.Deptuy Chief Robin Jones will replace Domm until a full-time person is hired.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is the largest First Nations Police Service in Canada and second largest in North America.
Domm will vacate the position on Friday to become the new Chief of the Rama Police Service.
Domm was hired in 2006 and has served as both Deputy Chief and Chief.Deptuy Chief Robin Jones will replace Domm until a full-time person is hired.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is the largest First Nations Police Service in Canada and second largest in North America.
Re-Thinking Retail
Northwestern Ontario businesses are being asked to "re-think retail".
A one day seminar on the region's business market is being held in Kenora today.
Northwest Business Centre Coordinator Michael McCaffrey says they're expecting a good turnout.
Kevin Graff of Graff Retail will be the key speaker and will talk about having a successful Christmas shopping season, and driving sales and profits.
A one day seminar on the region's business market is being held in Kenora today.
Northwest Business Centre Coordinator Michael McCaffrey says they're expecting a good turnout.
Kevin Graff of Graff Retail will be the key speaker and will talk about having a successful Christmas shopping season, and driving sales and profits.
Kenora Olympic Funding
Kenora’s Olympic torch run celebrations are getting a $15 thousand dollar boost from the federal government.
Kenora’s Conservative MP Greg Rickford announced the government’s support to communities hosting celebrations on Friday.
The Torch will be in Northwestern Ontario starting on January 4th with stops in Ignace, Dryden, Vermillion Bay, Rat Portage, Kenora and Keewatin.
Funding to Kenora will be used to highlight local talent and artists, provide interactive activities to engage youth and other individuals.
Kenora’s Conservative MP Greg Rickford announced the government’s support to communities hosting celebrations on Friday.
The Torch will be in Northwestern Ontario starting on January 4th with stops in Ignace, Dryden, Vermillion Bay, Rat Portage, Kenora and Keewatin.
Funding to Kenora will be used to highlight local talent and artists, provide interactive activities to engage youth and other individuals.
Drug Bust Kenora
A 30 year old Winnipeg man faces drug charges following a routine traffic stop along the Kenora By-Pass.
The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle for speeding.
Officers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the car and observed evidence of pot inside.
The driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle turned up 200 grams of marijuana, a quantity of cash and other drug paraphenalia.
Mark Freeman has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
He is due to appear in Kenora court on December 14th to answer the charges.
The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle for speeding.
Officers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the car and observed evidence of pot inside.
The driver was arrested and a search of the vehicle turned up 200 grams of marijuana, a quantity of cash and other drug paraphenalia.
Mark Freeman has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
He is due to appear in Kenora court on December 14th to answer the charges.
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