Court Rules Spring Bear Hunt Can Proceed

For the first time in 15 years, there will be a limited spring bear hunt in northern Ontario.

A judge has sided with the provincial government on the spring bear hunt.  

A request to have the hunt delayed pending a judicial review has been thrown out of court.

The hunt will now go ahead as scheduled on May 1st.

The Ontario Federation Of Anglers and Hunters says it's pleased the court application by Zoocheck Canada and Animal Alliance of Canada has been dismissed and the federation looks forward to a safe and successful hunt.

NOMA Throws Support Behind Energy East Pipeline

The Energy East Pipeline Project is getting the thumbs up from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

The NOMA board put a resolution of support forward at it's annual conference over the weekend.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says not all the delegates voted in favour, but most see it as the best option for moving Alberta crude.

Canfield suggests the pipeline project is preferrable to moving the Alberta oilsands product by rail.

Mounties Searching For Missing Manitoba Girl

The RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police are asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Toni Rose Linklater.

Linklater was last seen on the evening of April 14th in Manitoba.

The Mounties have information that Linklater may be in the Dryden area and is heading east.

She was wearing a black jacket and black tights.

Linklater is described as 5 foot 10, 143-pounds, average build, long brown hair, piercing's on her right eyebrow and lower lip.

She is considered at risk and police and family are concerned for her well-being.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police or Crime Stoppers.

Beaver Brae to Get Aboriginal Business Program

A business program for aboriginal students is being expanded into five
more high schools across northwestern Ontario.

The provincial government is funding the Martin Aboriginal Education
Initiative at Beaver Brae, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout and two high schools in Thunder Bay (St. Patrick and Churchill).

Lucie Santoro is a spokesperson for the program and says the students can enrol in two courses.

Santoro says the program is already up and running at Dennis Franklin Cromarty in Thunder Bay, and will be expanding into the five other high schools in the region in the fall.

NOMA Urging Province To Twin Highway 17

Five years and counting.

That's how long ago the federal and provincial government's announced 100 million dollars to twin the Trans-Canada Highway between Kenora and the Manitoba border.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has passed a resolution urging the government to finally start construction on the project.

Transportation minister Glen Murray did have a meeting with the new band leadership at Shoal Lake last week in hopes of moving the Twinning project

forward.

Chalice Gold Takes Over Coventry Projects in NWO

A deal to takeover an Australian company's mining interests in the Nestor Falls and Rainy River areas is complete.

Conventry Resources is handing over control of four separate projects to Chalice Gold Mines.

The two Australian firms announced the deal last fall.

The four mining projects are at various stages of exploration.

Rickford Says Feds Not Idle on Ring of Fire

The Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire says the federal government remains committed to the massive mining project.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle are both challenging the feds to get more involved in the project.

Greg Rickford says they have always been at the table.

Rickford says he has a good working relationship with Gravelle and looks forward to further talks to move the Ring of Fire forward.

Last week the provincial government announced a billion dollars for the giant mining project and challenged
the Harper Government to match that funding.

Province To Announce Details of Ontario Pension Plan

Premier Kathleen Wynne confirms Thursday's budget will contain details of an enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan.

In the Ontario Legislature yesterday, Wynne says financial experts agree there needs to be more capacity for people to save for their retirement.

She says since the federal government is refusing to do anything, it's up to the province to take action.

Conservative leader Tim Hudak describes the pension plan another payroll tax on business which
will kill jobs in Ontario.

NDP Call For Gas Price Watch Dog

Federal NDP are renewing their calls for a gas price watchdog.

Consumer Affairs critic Glenn Thibeault says the watchdog would ensure fairness.

The call comes after a spike in gasoline prices in some parts of the country just before
Easter and again last week in some northwestern Ontario communities.

Thibault says gas prices have hit a three year high and are 22 cents a liter more
this year than last year.

Relay For Life Offers Incentive

A new incentive for teams who sign up for Relay for Life in Kenora.

Team Coordinator Kerri Holder says NAPA Auto Parts is stepping up to the plate with a big donation.

Any team that signs up on-line will be entered into a draw for a thousand dollar contribution.

The winner of the one thousand dollar donation will be announced on May 19th.

The Relay for Life will take place on the Kenora Harborfront on June 20th.

Kenora OPP Make Numerous Arrests

The Kenora OPP have arrested 5 people following numerous incidents last weekend.

Provincial police say the investigation and subsequent search warrant began when a firearm was reported stolen from the vehicle in the Rideout area on Saturday morning.

At the same time police were called about a black GMC Sierra being stolen in the same area.

Afterward OPP got flooded with reports about break ins up Highway 671.

A road block allowed police to seize the stolen vehicle and arrest 3 suspects.

On Monday a search warrant at a residence on Mascott Avenue saw police seize the stolen firearm along with other property.

All 5 suspects are being held in custody and will appear in Kenora court tomorrow.

21 year old Edward Kersch from Kenora:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Theft from a Motor Vehicle
• Mischief Under $5,000
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
• Break, Enter Dwelling Commit an Indictable Offence
• Break, Enter Place Commit an Indictable Offence

19 year old Tristen Futros from Winnipeg:

• Theft Under $5,000
• Mischief Under $5,000
• Break, Enter Dwelling Commit an Indictable Offence x2
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle

40 year old Timothy Elliot from Kenora:

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime

20 year old Bryan Fehr from Winnipeg:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

19 year old Mikhayla Mann from Winnipeg:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

TBayTel Launches New Campaign

TBaytel's latest "Tbaytel for Good" campaign is now underway.

The telecommunication's company is offering up a total of 15-thousand dollars to organizations with the focus this time on the environment.

Groups across northwestern Ontario can register their idea and lobby for votes until June 20th.

The Border Skating Club in Fort Frances was the winner of the company's winter contest.

TransCanada Defends Energy East

A spokesperson for TransCanada Pipeline says they have a strong working relationship with First Nations regarding the proposed Energy East Pipeline.

Concerns about treaty rights have been raised at Ontario Energy Board consultations over the past month across Ontario

Philippe Cannon says they have an open dialogue with aboriginal leaders.

Cannon says several letters of agreement have been reached.

Ontario Court To Hear Appeal of Spring Bear Hunt

An Ontario court is to hear arguments today against the province’s planned spring bear hunt.

Animal Alliance of Canada and Zoocheck Canada are challenging the hunt, saying mother bears will be killed and their orphaned cubs left to starve or be killed by predators.

The new spring hunt is scheduled to begin in selected northern communities on Thursday and ends on June 15th.

The animal rights groups have filed an application for a judicial review, and say they hope the court will at least delay the start of the hunt until it can issue a ruling.

Their lawyer has said the hunt would be contrary to animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code.

The hunt was cancelled in 1999.

City Releases Boating Sector Profile

Business opportunties in boating.

That's the thrust of a  new economic development profile
developed for the City of Kenora.

Don Denver is chair of the Economic Development Commission and says the Boating Sector Profile fits in nicely with Kenora's brand promise.

The Boating sector profile outlines a number of business opportunities including boat maintenance and repairs, storage, as well as docking and rentals.

It's the most recent of the City's business profiles, which also includes mining, forestry and tourism.

Gravelle Promise One Billion For Ring of Fire

The provincial government is making a huge financial promise to the Ring of Fire mining development.

Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle says they will commit one billion dollars for infrastructure projects to the Ring.

Gravelle is challenging the federal government to pony up the same amount.  

The money will go towards building access to the project through either roads or railways.  

The funding will be included in this weeks provincial budget.

FedNor Promotes Export Opportunities

FedNor would like to see more companies in northwestern Ontario get into the export business.

The regional economic development agency is out offering specific financial assistance programs.

Director Aime Dimatteo says since announcing them last fall, thirty companies have made application.

Dimatteo says of the 67 hundred business with available products or services, just 6 per cent are now in the export business.

Tories Complain About Fake Deficit Numbers

The Progressive Conservatives claim the Liberal government has been using fake deficit numbers as part of its budget process.

They say the numbers are contained in documents obtained.

Tory leader Tim Hudak says its only hurts future investment.

The Tory says documents first identify a fake deficit number of 24.7 billion for the the 2009/
10 fiscal year.

Unifor Begins Contract Talks With Resolute

Contract talks between Resolute Forest Products and Unifor are underway.

The results of the negotiations, impacting nineteen collective agreements are intended to serve as a pattern for talks with other pulp and paper companies in eastern Canada.

The talks are scheduled to continued all this week in Montreal.

Local Fighter To Compete in Jiu Jitsu Competition

A local Jiu Jitsu fighter is competing in an international event.

Amanda Kowalik is heading to Brampton for the Ontario Opens.

Kowalik says she'll be fighting in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition.

She will be fighting in the white belt middle
weight class.

The tournament runs Saturday and Sunday.