The Grassy Narrows First Nation's fight against logging on traditional lands is expected to be heard today in an Ontario court.
The aboriginal group from northwestern Ontario ischallenging the province's right to permit industrial logging, which the First Nation says violates its treaty rights.
Joseph Fobister , a spokesman for the group, says the First Nation has been asking the province for years to stop the logging on their traditional lands.
The case was supposed to start yesterday, but was put offbecause one of the government lawyers got the flu.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
EI Northern Ontario
Ontario N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath says the McGuinty governmentneeds to get jobs to people in northern Ontario.
Her demand follows a Statistics Canada report which shows a sharp increase in employment insurance claims in the region.
But Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund has helped retain more than 12-thousand jobs over the last six years.
Her demand follows a Statistics Canada report which shows a sharp increase in employment insurance claims in the region.
But Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund has helped retain more than 12-thousand jobs over the last six years.
Fire Prevention Week
Stay Fire Smart-Don't get burned.
That's this year's theme for fire prevention week in Ontario.
Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says everyone should have working smoke alarms.
The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office says in some home fires people have less than a minute to escape.
Fire Prevention Week runs today until Saturday.
That's this year's theme for fire prevention week in Ontario.
Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says everyone should have working smoke alarms.
The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office says in some home fires people have less than a minute to escape.
Fire Prevention Week runs today until Saturday.
Flu Aboriginal Communities
Aboriginal leaders and opposition parties warn that communities in northern Ontario could be more vulnerable to the spread of swine flu this fall.
N-D-P health critic Frances JELL'-ee-nah says poverty and overcrowding is creating dangerous situations on First Nation reserves and remote communities.
Health Minister David Caplan says protective gear and antivirals have already been shipped to areas across the province, but the province is still waiting for federal approval of the H-1-N-1 vaccine.
N-D-P health critic Frances JELL'-ee-nah says poverty and overcrowding is creating dangerous situations on First Nation reserves and remote communities.
Health Minister David Caplan says protective gear and antivirals have already been shipped to areas across the province, but the province is still waiting for federal approval of the H-1-N-1 vaccine.
Winnipeg Shoal Lake #40
Winnipeg is poised to sign a deal with a Shoal Lake-area First Nation that could see the community receive a water treatment plant of its own.
For the past 90 years, Winnipeg has obtained its drinking water from a small body of water called Indian Bay, which is part of Shoal Lake on the Manitoba-Ontario border.
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz says the agreement is a follow-up to a deal signed between the two sides back in 1989.
Katz says ideally, Shoal Lake #40 should be able to get its own water treatment facility out of the agreement.
For the past 90 years, Winnipeg has obtained its drinking water from a small body of water called Indian Bay, which is part of Shoal Lake on the Manitoba-Ontario border.
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz says the agreement is a follow-up to a deal signed between the two sides back in 1989.
Katz says ideally, Shoal Lake #40 should be able to get its own water treatment facility out of the agreement.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Mental Health Week
Mental Health Week is being observed by the Canadian Mental Health Association with this year’s theme being "invest in yourself".
CMHA spokesperson Debbie Baldwin says positive mental health enables us to resist stress, take opportunities and tackle challenges.
Baldwin notes they'll be spreading the word about their services during mental health week 2009.
Mental Health Week runs October 5th to 9th.
CMHA spokesperson Debbie Baldwin says positive mental health enables us to resist stress, take opportunities and tackle challenges.
Baldwin notes they'll be spreading the word about their services during mental health week 2009.
Mental Health Week runs October 5th to 9th.
Confederation College Votes
Voting will take place this week at Confederation College campuses across the region for part-tim support staff.
The issue is whether the workers should belong to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Spokesperson for the college workers Richard Belleau says they were only given the right to join a union recently.
Voting will take place in Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout on Tuesday, and Fort Frances on Wednesday.
The certifcation vote is scheduled to wrap up across the province at the end of this month.
The issue is whether the workers should belong to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Spokesperson for the college workers Richard Belleau says they were only given the right to join a union recently.
Voting will take place in Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout on Tuesday, and Fort Frances on Wednesday.
The certifcation vote is scheduled to wrap up across the province at the end of this month.
H1N1 Flu Update
There appears to be a second wave of the HINI breaking outin southern Ontario.
That's the suggestion from Dr. David Williams, the AssociateMedical Officer of Health for the province.
Williams was in Kenora last week meeting with health unitstaff and says they are still awaiting results on the suspected cases.
The Minister of Health is urging the federal government torelease the vaccine for the HINI virus sooner rather than later.
The shots are expected to be ready until early November.
That's the suggestion from Dr. David Williams, the AssociateMedical Officer of Health for the province.
Williams was in Kenora last week meeting with health unitstaff and says they are still awaiting results on the suspected cases.
The Minister of Health is urging the federal government torelease the vaccine for the HINI virus sooner rather than later.
The shots are expected to be ready until early November.
Water Levels
With winter starting to close in, water levels are starting to decline on Lake of the Woods.
The Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels went down more than an inch this past weekand is expected to drop another two to four inches over the next seven days.
Outflow has increased slightly in recent days, with 485 cubic meters per second flowing through the Norman Dam into the Winnipeg River.
The Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels went down more than an inch this past weekand is expected to drop another two to four inches over the next seven days.
Outflow has increased slightly in recent days, with 485 cubic meters per second flowing through the Norman Dam into the Winnipeg River.
Boil Water Advisory
Another boil water advisory has been put in place in parts of the City of Kenora.
Homes, businesses, and facilities located in Tunnel Island, Norman, and Keewatin are asked to
boil their water for at least a full minute before consuming it.
The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is also affected by the advisory.
The Northwestern Health Unit has determined that the safety of the drinking water cannot be guaranteed at this time.
The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Homes, businesses, and facilities located in Tunnel Island, Norman, and Keewatin are asked to
boil their water for at least a full minute before consuming it.
The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is also affected by the advisory.
The Northwestern Health Unit has determined that the safety of the drinking water cannot be guaranteed at this time.
The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Grassy Narrows Court
The Ontario Superior Court in Toronto will start hearing evidence today in the Grassy Narrows First Nation's fight against logging.
The northwestern Ontario First Nation is challenging the province's right to give industrial logging the green light when Grassy Narrows says the logging interferes with its treaty rights.
Last year, forest industry giant AbitibiBowater pulled out of theWhiskey Jack Forest north of Kenora.
The company said it couldn't wait four more years for theprovince and the Grassy Narrows First Nation to agree on logging practices.
The northwestern Ontario First Nation is challenging the province's right to give industrial logging the green light when Grassy Narrows says the logging interferes with its treaty rights.
Last year, forest industry giant AbitibiBowater pulled out of theWhiskey Jack Forest north of Kenora.
The company said it couldn't wait four more years for theprovince and the Grassy Narrows First Nation to agree on logging practices.
Northwestern Ontario Bears
The Ontario government says complaints about nuisance black bearswon't bring back the spring bear hunt.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there's noevidence to support the claims of more nuisance bears in northernand central Ontario.
She says it's no surprise there have been more complaints becausethe government's Bear Wise program encourages reporting.
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there's noevidence to support the claims of more nuisance bears in northernand central Ontario.
She says it's no surprise there have been more complaints becausethe government's Bear Wise program encourages reporting.
A and W Landing
The Ministry of Defence is launching an investigation into the landing of a Canadian Forces helicopter in Kenora.
Defence Ministry Spokesperson Dan Dugas says they're trying to determine why the landing happened.
On Thursday, a Canadian Military Helicopter touched down in the parking lot across from A&W for a food run.
Dugas says at no time during the landing or takeoff was there a danger to the public's safety.
Defence Ministry Spokesperson Dan Dugas says they're trying to determine why the landing happened.
On Thursday, a Canadian Military Helicopter touched down in the parking lot across from A&W for a food run.
Dugas says at no time during the landing or takeoff was there a danger to the public's safety.
Layton HST
NDP Leader Jack Layton is taking his campaign for Employment Insurance reform to Northwestern Ontario.
Layton was in Thunder Bay on a tour of the region on Saturday to meet with local workers and ask them what they need from the Employment Insurance system.
At a press conference he also discussed the possibility of a harmonized sales tax and Layton said Prime Minister Stephen Harper would put eight more cents on the dollar.
Layton asked why the legislation has to go through the House of Commons in order for the tax to be passed if the HST is a provincial decision.
Layton was in Thunder Bay on a tour of the region on Saturday to meet with local workers and ask them what they need from the Employment Insurance system.
At a press conference he also discussed the possibility of a harmonized sales tax and Layton said Prime Minister Stephen Harper would put eight more cents on the dollar.
Layton asked why the legislation has to go through the House of Commons in order for the tax to be passed if the HST is a provincial decision.
Police Training
The entire Thunder Bay police force is going to get additional human rights training.
The news accompanied an announcement the force has reached a settlement approved by Ontario`s Human Rights Tribunal with Abraham Miles.
Miles, an aboriginal, was a 17-year old high school student in the fall of 2007 when he was grilled by officers about a possible connection to a street gang while he was on a tour of the city`s police station.
The news accompanied an announcement the force has reached a settlement approved by Ontario`s Human Rights Tribunal with Abraham Miles.
Miles, an aboriginal, was a 17-year old high school student in the fall of 2007 when he was grilled by officers about a possible connection to a street gang while he was on a tour of the city`s police station.
Greyhound Talks
Talks are set to go Wednesday to help save Greyhound services in northwestern Ontario.
The company and Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley will meet for an undetermined length of time to work out a solution.
Greyhound vice-president Stuart Kendrick says he would like to see a leadership role from provincial and federal ministers for a short-term, 15-million break-even subsidy, that would give both sides 12 months to look at a long-term plan.
Greyhound has set a December 2nd deadline of pulling the plug on northwestern Ontario services.
The company and Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley will meet for an undetermined length of time to work out a solution.
Greyhound vice-president Stuart Kendrick says he would like to see a leadership role from provincial and federal ministers for a short-term, 15-million break-even subsidy, that would give both sides 12 months to look at a long-term plan.
Greyhound has set a December 2nd deadline of pulling the plug on northwestern Ontario services.
Friday, October 2, 2009
NWHU FLU
The Northwestern Health Unit says its continuing to work on plans for the upcoming flu season.
Staff are meeting this week in part to get ready for what's expected to be a busy flu season.
Dr. Jim Arthurs is the acting medical officer of health and says while plans are important, they also have to be flexible.
Arthurs adds that he's not planning any widespread immunization program for the schools this fall, even though people aged 5-20 are thought to be the most at risk for the swine flu.
Staff are meeting this week in part to get ready for what's expected to be a busy flu season.
Dr. Jim Arthurs is the acting medical officer of health and says while plans are important, they also have to be flexible.
Arthurs adds that he's not planning any widespread immunization program for the schools this fall, even though people aged 5-20 are thought to be the most at risk for the swine flu.
Post Office Makeover
The federal building in Kenora is getting a makeover.
The federal government is going to spend 330 thousand dollars to refurbish the red brick structure.
Work will include upgrades to the washrooms, new carpetsand repairs to the crawl space
foundation walls.
The upgrades are scheduled to be complete by March of 2010.
The funding comes from the government's Economic Action Plan.
The federal government is going to spend 330 thousand dollars to refurbish the red brick structure.
Work will include upgrades to the washrooms, new carpetsand repairs to the crawl space
foundation walls.
The upgrades are scheduled to be complete by March of 2010.
The funding comes from the government's Economic Action Plan.
September Weather
It was a September to remember for most communities innorthwestern Ontario.
Environment Canada says temperatures averaged aboutsix degrees above normal.
Geoff Coulson is a climatologist and says surprisingly,there was still a fair bit of rainfall in Kenora last month.
Coulson says Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Red Lake and Pickle Lake actually set records for the warmest September onrecord.
Environment Canada says temperatures averaged aboutsix degrees above normal.
Geoff Coulson is a climatologist and says surprisingly,there was still a fair bit of rainfall in Kenora last month.
Coulson says Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Red Lake and Pickle Lake actually set records for the warmest September onrecord.
Ignace Hunting Fine
Three Ignace hunters have been fined a total of 900 dollars for illegally camping on crown land.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says the trio had set up camp sites in three separate locations in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.
The camps had been used during moose hunting season and left up all winter long.
The hunters were fined for unauthorized use of crown land.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says the trio had set up camp sites in three separate locations in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.
The camps had been used during moose hunting season and left up all winter long.
The hunters were fined for unauthorized use of crown land.
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