Endless Opportunities for Youth in the Region

The options are endless in Northwestern Ontario.

Andy Scribilo is the past president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, and says the jobs are out there, but it's a matter of finding people to fill them.

Scribilo says schools need to let students know what is out there and let them try it.

Spay and Neuter Program at White Dog

White dog is starting a new spay and neuter program to help control the dog population in the community.

Project Manager Waylon Scott says it's a 5 year program and is more humane than the dog shoots they had used previously.

Scott says there are more dogs than houses in the community.

A team to help with the initial spaying and neutering will arrive on May 2nd. and will start the program on the 3rd.

Rail Safety Week

Some tips for anyone caught hanging around the tracks.

CN Police Constable Cynthia Stotz says it's Rail Safety Week and is reminding people that walking along the tracks is illegal.

Stotz says people should contact the railway if they see continually crossing the tracks.

An identifier at each cross-way that will tell you the name and number of the railway.

Stotz adds that ATV's and snowmobiles can damage the tracks and are at risk of being hit because it can be difficult to hear an oncoming train over the sound of the engine.

Victory For Shoal Lake in Water Dispute

It's a big victory for the Shoal Lake First Nations.

The International Joint Commission has ruled against the City of Winnipeg's plan to sell water to surrounding communities.

The first nations argued that the city would break the agreement in place by making a profit off the water.

In a letter, the IJC supported the argument and informed Winnipeg that it could not sell the water.

The decision put a dent into the city's CentrePort project.

MPP Speaks Up for Remote First Nations

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is calling on the premier to address the social conditions in First Nation communities.

Speaking at Queens Park, Sarah Campbell says it's unfair that these communities have to declare a state of emergency to get some attention from the government.

A remote Northern First Nation declared a state of emergency last week due to recent suicides and the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Update for LOWBIC Annual General Meeting

The chair of the board at the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation is stepping down.

last week at the annual general meeting Executive Director Ryan Reynard says Anita Webb did a lot of great work and will be missed.

Reynard says last year LOWBIC did a great job helping to diversify the economy by creating 31 full time jobs and handing out 15 loans to small businesses.

He also announced a surplus of over 7 million dollars.

Health Fair in Machin

Promoting health services available to residents in Machin.

That's the focus of a Health Fair being put on by the Northwestern Health Unit on May 1st at Lillian Berg School in Vermilion Bay.

Public Health Nurse Sue Wood says it runs from 2 till 6pm, with two evening sessions to follow.

The sessions including speakers from the Dryden OPP, Dryden Regional Health Center,
and Firefly.

MPP States Demands for Upcoming Budget

Home health care and auto insurance premiums are Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell's main concerns.

And she hopes that the provincial government will address them when they reveal the budget on May 2nd.

Campbell says she's heard from local residents who can't afford their car insurance because it's too high.

Campbell adds that she would also like to see the government close some of the corporate tax loopholes.

New Infrastructure Funds for Smaller Communtiies

The Provincial Government is investing in small communities across Northwestern Ontario.

Provincial Infrastructure Minister Glen Murray says they are going to benefit from a new 100-million dollar infrastructure fund that will go to bridge and road repairs.

Murray says the new fund would be available by October 1st.

New NOACC President Selected

Times are changing for the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce.

Michael Nitz, who comes from Thunder Bay was announced as the new president at the spring Annual General Meeting this past weekend in Dryden.

Nitz says a big focus for him is getting more people involved.

Nitz says another priority for him is connecting all Chambers in the Northwest and making sure they are coming to the table and providing input.

Health Unit Offers Needle Safety Tips

Now that the warmer temperatures are finally here, more people are hitting the outdoors.

However, the Northwestern Health Unit wants to remind the public to be careful if you see needles laying around.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says it's important to use gloves and tongs to pick one up and the place it in a hard-sided plastic container..

Stanley says don't forget to wash your hands after, and needles can be dropped off at the health unit.

Mining Report Released at NOMA AGM

A report on the future of mining in the area has been unveiled.

The strategy was presented at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference yesterday in Thunder Bay.

The analysis indicates that there will be considerable opportunities for suppliers to support the potential mining projects in the north.

The mining sector is expected to create 10,000 full-time jobs over the next decade and bring in up to 1.7-billion dollars in overall economic revenue each year over the same period.

On the downside, the study warns that upgrades to the province's electricity transmission system may not be completed in time to foster completion of planned mining projects.

NOACC AGM in Dryden This Weekend

Businesses and organizations from all over the region will be in Dryden this weekend.

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is holding its spring Annual General Meeting starting tonight at the Best Western.

President Andy Scribilo says there's lots happening over the two-day conference.

Scribilo says the public is invited to attend.

visit www.noacc.ca for information.

Local Reactions to Proposed Border Fee

Speaking out against the proposed border fee to enter the United States

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says both countries will benefit if the fee does not pass.

Campbell adds that a more open border concept will help keep tourists from the United States coming into the region and in turn impact the economy.

At the same time, the MP for Kenora says he is working to advance our borders with the United States.

Greg Rickford says we have advanced border crossings and the purposed border fee to enter the United States goes against what Canada is trying to do.

The purposed fee is going into a feasibility study to see if it would work and help the US pay for security costs.

Neither Campbell or Rickford expect the proposal to pass.

Mayors Unhappy With MPAC Presentation

A presentation from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has done nothing to appease area Mayors.

Several Northwestern Ontario communities including Dryden are withholding payments to MPAC over their assessments of mill property.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall calls the MPAC presentation at yesterday's NOMA conference bureaucratic rhetoric.

MPAC President Antoni Wisniowski says they hear the communities concerns and that's why they came to the conference in the first place.

Storm Watcher Session in Dryden

A safer way to watch the weather.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Geoff Coulson is offering a program called CANWARN, which is essentially how to become a "Storm Watcher" in Northwestern Ontario.

A session is being held in Dryden on June 7th, starting at 7:00.

For more information email geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca.

Priorities Remain the Same for New Director of Education

There may be a new director but the goal remains the same.

Last week Sean Monteith was selected as the director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board, and he says they will continue down the same educational path.

Monteith says some key priorities are the unique learning needs in the region, infrastructure needs, and advocating to the powers that be in Southern Ontario.

Local Reactions to ELA Announcement

 A level of cautious optimism for the Experimental Lakes Area.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she was excited to hear the government commit to keep the facility open.

However Campbell said they did not clarify how they'll support the ELA.

Campbell adds it's about time the government recognized how important the facility is and how it benefits the province.

At the same time Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the announcement was quite a pleasant surprise.


Rickford says it's great news that the Provincial Government has stepped up to the plate to save the Experimental Lakes Area, East of Kenora.

However, Rickford notes it's not official yet bu is confident an agreement will be reached in the near future.

27th Annual Home & Leisure Show Right Around the Corner

The 27th annual Home and Leisure show signifies that spring is just around the corner in Kenora.

The Leisure show goes from May 3rd to the 5th at the Rec center.

This year it'll be a full house of vendors with hundreds of ideas for your home or cottage.

Chairman of the Leisure Show Andy Scribilo says that they are always looking for volunteers.

Scribilo adds that none of this would be possible without the help of their volunteers.

It's a Dog's Life Social

It's a dogs life will be having a social on May 4th at the Lakeshore Hotel.

It's a Dogs Life volunteer Chris Madison says that they wont be doing a silent auction but will have lots of prizes.

The proceeds will be go towards spay and neutering dogs in their care and within the community.

Tickets are available at, Johnsons Pharmacy, Taylor Made Pet Products, Pet Value, and Ho Joe's Coffee.