An aboriginal affairs working group has come out with a set of recommendations for Canada's Prime Minister and Provincial Premiers.
The group made up of first nations leaders and ministers of aboriginal affairs has come up with plans to close the graduation and income gap between first nations and non aboriginals.
Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says Northern Ontario will see some benefits.
The working group also pledged to end violence against Aboriginal women and girls.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Social Housing Wait Times
The Ontario non-profit Housing Association says wait lists for people seeking subsidizing housing continues to grow.
The association says the Kenora District has 546 people on waiting list compared with 452 last year.
But Executive Director Sharad Kerur says it may be a lot higher.
According to the Association, people are waiting up to two years for housing.
The association says the Kenora District has 546 people on waiting list compared with 452 last year.
But Executive Director Sharad Kerur says it may be a lot higher.
According to the Association, people are waiting up to two years for housing.
Whitefish Bay Death SIU
Five investigators from the province's Special Investigations Unit are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a 39-year-old man in Whitefish Bay.
The SIU says provincial police officers in Sioux Lookout were requested to assist Lac Seul police officers at a Whitefish Bay residence on Sunday morning.
The SIU says there was an interaction with a man, and he was shot.
He was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
OPP say a seperate death occurred in the home.
No name has been released.
Investigators are asking any witnesses to contact the unit.
The SIU says provincial police officers in Sioux Lookout were requested to assist Lac Seul police officers at a Whitefish Bay residence on Sunday morning.
The SIU says there was an interaction with a man, and he was shot.
He was taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
OPP say a seperate death occurred in the home.
No name has been released.
Investigators are asking any witnesses to contact the unit.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hospital expects small surplus
Members of the Lake of the Woods Hospital Board will have to wait until next month to find out if they managed to stay in the black this year.
The hospital's year end was March 31st, but Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they are still finalizing their figures.
He suggests the hospital should finish with a small surplus,but just how large the surplus is still to be determined.
Belcaen says their auditor is currently going over their books and a final report on their finances will be presented at their annual general meeting next month.
Robber caught red-handed
A 39 year old man was caught red-handed trying to rob a store in downtown Kenora.
The OPP say one of their officers noticed an altercation between a store employee and another person last night.
Police approached the store and noticed the suspect was holdinga knife and was trying to commit a robbery.
The officer intervened and arrested the suspect.
Steve Jackson has been charged with robbery, wearing a disguise with the intent to commit a criminal offense and possessionof narcotics.
The OPP say one of their officers noticed an altercation between a store employee and another person last night.
Police approached the store and noticed the suspect was holdinga knife and was trying to commit a robbery.
The officer intervened and arrested the suspect.
Steve Jackson has been charged with robbery, wearing a disguise with the intent to commit a criminal offense and possessionof narcotics.
We're #121
Kenora's ranking in the annual Best Places to live index continues to fall.
The city is rated 121st out of 179 communities across the country by Money Sense Magazine.
Kenora's standing has fallen from 37th place just three years ago.
The survey looks at issues such as income, housing costs, crime, health, lifestyle and weather.
Kenora falls just behind Montreal, but just ahead of Kentville, Nova Scotia in the annual survey.
The city is rated 121st out of 179 communities across the country by Money Sense Magazine.
Kenora's standing has fallen from 37th place just three years ago.
The survey looks at issues such as income, housing costs, crime, health, lifestyle and weather.
Kenora falls just behind Montreal, but just ahead of Kentville, Nova Scotia in the annual survey.
Energy Credit Criticized
The McGuinty governments' Northern Energy Credit is being called an insult.
Randy Hillier, the Progressive Conservatives' Northern Development critic, says the program is laughable.
He says thats because 200 dollars is the most any family will get.
Hillier says in some parts of the north this credit won't even cover one month of the HST
Hillier says in some parts of the north this credit won't even cover one month of the HST
More on Couchiching Toll Booth
The federal government is responding to Couchiching First Nations plans to set up a toll booth later this month.
Michelle Yao, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says the government is committed to working with the band and the province in resolving the issues.
But Yao says an open dialogue is much more constructive and effective in dealing with the band's concerns.
The band council held a community meeting this week to update residents on their plans for the May 21st toll.
Michelle Yao, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says the government is committed to working with the band and the province in resolving the issues.
But Yao says an open dialogue is much more constructive and effective in dealing with the band's concerns.
The band council held a community meeting this week to update residents on their plans for the May 21st toll.
Education Week
Education Week is coming to a close for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.
Director of Education Jack McMaster says they met with Southern Ontario School Board professionals and told them about their oral language program.
McMaster says he is also taking time during Education Week to thank school board staff.
McMaster says he is also taking time during Education Week to thank school board staff.
Fort Frances Escapee back in Custody
The 7-day search for a wanted Emo man has ended.
OPP arrested Matthew Meyers yesterday without any difficulties.
The man was located in the Clearwater Lake area, about 30-kilometres north of Emo.
Police had been looking for Meyers since April 29th when he escaped from the Fort Frances OPP Detachment during a criminal investigation.
He remains in custody and faces possession of stolen property, breach of probation, assault, uttering threats and escaping custody.
OPP arrested Matthew Meyers yesterday without any difficulties.
The man was located in the Clearwater Lake area, about 30-kilometres north of Emo.
Police had been looking for Meyers since April 29th when he escaped from the Fort Frances OPP Detachment during a criminal investigation.
He remains in custody and faces possession of stolen property, breach of probation, assault, uttering threats and escaping custody.
More Presciption Drugs Seized
A 29 year old resident of the New Osnaburgh First Nation has been arrested on drug charges.
The Combined Forces Drug Unit arrested a man in Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay early Thursday morning.
Police say they seized about 100 oxycodone pills, almost 300 percocets, and about 65 hundred dollars in cash.
The street value of the drugs is estimated at about 16 thousand dollars.
During their search of the vehicle, officers also located a 30-30 rifle, amunition and a machete.
The Combined Forces Drug Unit arrested a man in Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay early Thursday morning.
Police say they seized about 100 oxycodone pills, almost 300 percocets, and about 65 hundred dollars in cash.
The street value of the drugs is estimated at about 16 thousand dollars.
During their search of the vehicle, officers also located a 30-30 rifle, amunition and a machete.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
SIU Officer Cleared
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has cleared an OPP officer
of any wrong-doing in an injury sustained by a person who was in custody
at the Kenora Detachment.
SIU director Ian Scott says there are no reasonable grounds to
believe the local officer committed any criminal offense after
34 year old Tony Kakegamic injured his index finger while being
place in the cell.
The report says Kakegamic tried to open the cell door several times
while officers attempted to lock the cell.
In the process, Kakegamic's left index finger was caught between
the door and the frame, causing the tip to be severed.
Scott concludes that the cause of the injury was the result of an accident
in which the officer had no intention of hurting the complainant.
of any wrong-doing in an injury sustained by a person who was in custody
at the Kenora Detachment.
SIU director Ian Scott says there are no reasonable grounds to
believe the local officer committed any criminal offense after
34 year old Tony Kakegamic injured his index finger while being
place in the cell.
The report says Kakegamic tried to open the cell door several times
while officers attempted to lock the cell.
In the process, Kakegamic's left index finger was caught between
the door and the frame, causing the tip to be severed.
Scott concludes that the cause of the injury was the result of an accident
in which the officer had no intention of hurting the complainant.
Abitibi Land Sale
A Kenora-area developer is hoping to finalize the sale of Abitibi lands in the city by the end of June.John Gale has been negotiating with AbitibiBowater for months to purchase all their property within city limits.
The original deadline to complete the deal was March 31st, but Gale says both sides agreed to extend the purchase date to June 30th.
He says its been a very complicated deal involving many different parcels land scattered throughout the city.
Gale adds that there are companies that are eager to get on the old mill property to set up shop.
Truth and Reconciliation
The Head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is making an appearance in Sioux Lookout to hear stories from former students of the Indian Residential School system.
Justice Murray Sinclair will stop in the community May 12th and 13th.
Garnet Angeconeb is the Co-Chair of the Sioux Lookout Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation and notes this region is fortunate to have Sinclair visit.
He notes it will give families, staff and survivers a chance to open up dialouge in order to move on.
Justice Murray Sinclair will stop in the community May 12th and 13th.
Garnet Angeconeb is the Co-Chair of the Sioux Lookout Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation and notes this region is fortunate to have Sinclair visit.
He notes it will give families, staff and survivers a chance to open up dialouge in order to move on.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
Not all northerners will get energy credit cheques from the McGuinty government in the fall.
The money is strictly for low and middle income people.
Speaking in Thunder Bay Dwight Duncan says the credit is to make up for higher energy costs
Expect those cheques to roll out in November.
The money is strictly for low and middle income people.
Speaking in Thunder Bay Dwight Duncan says the credit is to make up for higher energy costs
Expect those cheques to roll out in November.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Abitibi land sale still pending
A Kenora-area developer is hoping to finalize the sale of Abitibi lands in the city by the end of June.
John Gale has been negotiating with AbitibiBowater for months to purchase all their property within city limits.
The original deadline to complete the deal was March 31st, but Gale both sides agreed to extend the purchase date to June 30th.
He says its been a very complicated deal involving many different parcels of land scattered throughout the city.
Gale adds that there are companies that are eager to get on the old mill property to set up shop.
John Gale has been negotiating with AbitibiBowater for months to purchase all their property within city limits.
The original deadline to complete the deal was March 31st, but Gale both sides agreed to extend the purchase date to June 30th.
He says its been a very complicated deal involving many different parcels of land scattered throughout the city.
Gale adds that there are companies that are eager to get on the old mill property to set up shop.
Axe intruder injured
A 40-year-old man in northern Ontario --armed with an axe -- came out worse for wear, after going up against-- a vacuum cleaner.
Police say a man in White River was trying to break down a door with the axe.
As the door gave way, a man in the home hurled a vacuum cleaner through the broken door.
The vacuum hit the assailant in the face -- breaking his nose.
The assailant is now in jail.
Police say a man in White River was trying to break down a door with the axe.
As the door gave way, a man in the home hurled a vacuum cleaner through the broken door.
The vacuum hit the assailant in the face -- breaking his nose.
The assailant is now in jail.
Four Kenora Girls at National Aboriginal Hockey Championships
Four Kenora hockey players have helped Team Ontario North to a perfect 3-0 record at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
Melissa White, Robin Houle, Sam Smith and Deborah Kakeway are members of the squad, which finished first in their pool.
The Semi-Finals start tonight with Team Ontario North taking on NorthwestTerritories.
Melissa White, Robin Houle, Sam Smith and Deborah Kakeway are members of the squad, which finished first in their pool.
The Semi-Finals start tonight with Team Ontario North taking on NorthwestTerritories.
Concern about FedNor Funding
A number of concerns are being raised about the FedNor program.A recent study shows the number of approvals for funding have dropped, while the number of applications have increased.
Claude Gravelle is a Sudbury area M.P. and says he's also worriedFedNor funding may be jeopardized by Treasury Board President Stockwell Day.
Gravelle is calling on the federal government to make FedNor an agency of the crown so applications for funding can be processed much faster.
More broadband promised for the North
A Liberal government would bring high speed internet to all of Northern Ontario and the rest of Rural Canada within three years.Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the announcement during a tour of the region today.
Ignatieff says high speed internet is vital in increasing national unity.
Ignatieff also says the plan is aimed at improving public services for people in remote areas, allowing them to tap into the digital economy, distance learning and electronic health initiatives, among other things.
Ignatieff also says the plan is aimed at improving public services for people in remote areas, allowing them to tap into the digital economy, distance learning and electronic health initiatives, among other things.
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