The Provincial government's Green Energy Act has the Paper Workers Union nervous.
National Rep Marvin Pupeza says while the levy may have a small impact on home owners it could have a major impact on the forestry sector.
Pupeza says he'll be watching the provincial budget very closely to see if any relief for the industry is coming.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Northern Ontario Travel Grants
A man from northern Ontario says he was forced to cancel severalappointments with specialists because of a delay in a travel grant.
Christopher Pelletier of Emo says he had to cancel theappointments because he can't afford to pay for the travel on hisown.
Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton raised the issue in theOntario Legislature and says something has to be done to fix a brokensystem.
Health Minister Deb Matthews said she was unaware of the problemand will look into it.
Christopher Pelletier of Emo says he had to cancel theappointments because he can't afford to pay for the travel on hisown.
Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton raised the issue in theOntario Legislature and says something has to be done to fix a brokensystem.
Health Minister Deb Matthews said she was unaware of the problemand will look into it.
DSSAB Needs Funds
Municipal leaders in the Kenora District are saying "enough is enough".
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Anne Krassilowsky says the Province needs to know now that they can no longer foot the bill for several services including land ambulance, social housing and Ontario works.
At one point during Thursday's Services Board meeting, Krassilowsky and Ignace Councilor Dianne Loubier addressed the soaring cost of providing land ambulance service by suggesting "let's hand over the key's to the Province and walk away."
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Anne Krassilowsky says the Province needs to know now that they can no longer foot the bill for several services including land ambulance, social housing and Ontario works.
At one point during Thursday's Services Board meeting, Krassilowsky and Ignace Councilor Dianne Loubier addressed the soaring cost of providing land ambulance service by suggesting "let's hand over the key's to the Province and walk away."
Adopt a Block
The City of Kenora wants area residents to do some spring cleaning.
"Adopt a block" is a new green initiative that encourages citizens to get involved in their community by cleaning their neighbourhood.
Operations Chair Dave McCann says people who adopt a street will receive a starter kit.
McCann adds there are already several volunteers signed up and they welcome more.
"Adopt a block" is a new green initiative that encourages citizens to get involved in their community by cleaning their neighbourhood.
Operations Chair Dave McCann says people who adopt a street will receive a starter kit.
McCann adds there are already several volunteers signed up and they welcome more.
OPP Spring Thaw
Warmer weather is making the days brighter, but the Kenora Police are warning citizens of the dangers of the spring thaw.
Police say early thaw and running water is a magnet for kids looking to get out of the house and play.
They say while running on ice and playing in puddles is entertaining, kids must be careful or avoid it all together.
Police say if you excerise caution you will enjoy a safe and happy Spring.
Police say early thaw and running water is a magnet for kids looking to get out of the house and play.
They say while running on ice and playing in puddles is entertaining, kids must be careful or avoid it all together.
Police say if you excerise caution you will enjoy a safe and happy Spring.
Ontario Budget North
N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath says it's about time the governmentcame up with some sort of plan for the north.
But Horwath adds measures promised in Thursday's budget will likely be seen as a last-ditch attempt by the Liberals to show theycare about communities they've ignored for years.
She made the comments today after Premier McGuinty promised some relief for the north in the budget.
McGuinty wouldn't go into details, but says the budget measures will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.
But Horwath adds measures promised in Thursday's budget will likely be seen as a last-ditch attempt by the Liberals to show theycare about communities they've ignored for years.
She made the comments today after Premier McGuinty promised some relief for the north in the budget.
McGuinty wouldn't go into details, but says the budget measures will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
KDSB Homeless Programs
The Chair of the Kenora District Services Board says he's very disappointed with the response he received from Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services.
Rory McMillan wrote Madeleine Meilleur outlining funding concerns for homeless programs and emergency shelters.
McMillan says the Minister's response basically reads "thanks but no thanks".
The Board has given the Kenora Councilor permission to go back and challenge the Minister on homeless issues facing area communities.
Rory McMillan wrote Madeleine Meilleur outlining funding concerns for homeless programs and emergency shelters.
McMillan says the Minister's response basically reads "thanks but no thanks".
The Board has given the Kenora Councilor permission to go back and challenge the Minister on homeless issues facing area communities.
Student Summer Jobs
The provinces summer jobs for youth program is back.
Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the goal this year is to have more students hired.
Employers have until april the 30 to apply for subsidies.
Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says the goal this year is to have more students hired.
Employers have until april the 30 to apply for subsidies.
Union Gas Rate Increase
Union Gas Customers in northwestern Ontario can expect to pay more for natural gas next month.
Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been given approval to raise rates effective April 1st.
There is also a slight change in the transportation costs.
Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been given approval to raise rates effective April 1st.
There is also a slight change in the transportation costs.
Forest Industry Crisis
Forest industry and unions say immediate changes to Employment Insurance rules are needed to help displaced forestry workers.
The Forest Products Sector Council says the sector has bled 100-thousand jobs since 2005 and about 40-thousand are stillunemployed.
The United Steelworkers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada suggest the federal and provincial governments have failed to address the scope of the industrycollapse.
But Kenora M-P Greg Rickford say the Harper government hasalready made E-I reforms, citing an extra five weeks of regularbenefits and investments in training as examples.
The Forest Products Sector Council says the sector has bled 100-thousand jobs since 2005 and about 40-thousand are stillunemployed.
The United Steelworkers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada suggest the federal and provincial governments have failed to address the scope of the industrycollapse.
But Kenora M-P Greg Rickford say the Harper government hasalready made E-I reforms, citing an extra five weeks of regularbenefits and investments in training as examples.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Missing Man on Lake of the Woods
An American is missing after taking his snowmobile out for a ride on Lake of the Woods.
Kenora OPP received a report of a man going through the ice near Goose Neck Narrows on Lake of the Woods on Sunday.
Police say two men were traveling 13 km north of Morson, when one of the snowmachines went through the ice.
Missing is 68 year old Fred Bisel from Eagle Bend, Minnesota.
OPP Underwater search and Rescue teams will arrive in Kenora today and hope to search the water later this week.
Kenora OPP received a report of a man going through the ice near Goose Neck Narrows on Lake of the Woods on Sunday.
Police say two men were traveling 13 km north of Morson, when one of the snowmachines went through the ice.
Missing is 68 year old Fred Bisel from Eagle Bend, Minnesota.
OPP Underwater search and Rescue teams will arrive in Kenora today and hope to search the water later this week.
NAFN Tournament
Organizers with the North American First Nations Hockey tournament say this year's event is going to be bigger and better than previous years.
Buck Matiowski says the Wauzhigunigum First Nation has put up 20 thousand dollars in guaranteed prize money for first place.
It's the 21st year of the tournament and is held the Easter Long Weekend.
Buck Matiowski says the Wauzhigunigum First Nation has put up 20 thousand dollars in guaranteed prize money for first place.
It's the 21st year of the tournament and is held the Easter Long Weekend.
Alzheimer's Society Executive Director
The Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River continues its search for a new executive director.
Margaret Schoneville stepped down after 11 years to take on a position with a Manitoba College.
Board Chair Bill Naturkach says they're currently short-listing potential candidates.
Naturkach is encouraged by the strong interest for the position.
Margaret Schoneville stepped down after 11 years to take on a position with a Manitoba College.
Board Chair Bill Naturkach says they're currently short-listing potential candidates.
Naturkach is encouraged by the strong interest for the position.
Poirier running for Mayor
Former Kenora City Councillor Andrew Poirier is the first person to formally file their nomination papers for the municipal election.
Poirier has decided to run for mayor after six years of experience on council.
The deadline to file nomination papers for the upcoming municipal election is September 10th.
Poirier has decided to run for mayor after six years of experience on council.
The deadline to file nomination papers for the upcoming municipal election is September 10th.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ring of Fire Northern Ontario
First Nations in northern Ontario say they are ending theirblockade of airstrips used by mining companies looking to get at theRing of Fire chromite deposit.
The First Nations will officially end the three-month-longprotest today and say they will work with the province and miningcompanies to ensure their concerns are addressed.
The blockades in the Ring of Fire, 500 kilometres northeast ofThunder Bay, were set up after Marten Falls and Webequie communities said they were not consulted by the mining companies.
The First Nations will officially end the three-month-longprotest today and say they will work with the province and miningcompanies to ensure their concerns are addressed.
The blockades in the Ring of Fire, 500 kilometres northeast ofThunder Bay, were set up after Marten Falls and Webequie communities said they were not consulted by the mining companies.
NAN Women's Conference
The fourth annual Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women's Traning Forum is underway.
Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its an empowering event that gives a voice to NAN women.
Metatawabin says drug and alcohol abuse is deffinately the greatest issue facing his people.
Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says its an empowering event that gives a voice to NAN women.
Metatawabin says drug and alcohol abuse is deffinately the greatest issue facing his people.
MNR Bear Wise
A warning from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Linda Wall of the Bear Wise program says because of the unseasonably warm weather, bears are likely to come out earlier than usual.
She says they'll be scavenging for food and that could mean encountering a bruin in town.
Wall anticipates most of the bears will be younger ones, likely 2-years old.
Linda Wall of the Bear Wise program says because of the unseasonably warm weather, bears are likely to come out earlier than usual.
She says they'll be scavenging for food and that could mean encountering a bruin in town.
Wall anticipates most of the bears will be younger ones, likely 2-years old.
KDSB Budget Defeated
The Kenora District Services Board still doesn't have a 2010 budget.Municipal reps defeated a 50.8-million dollar budget Thursday, prolonging a task that started last September.
Kenora Councilor Rory McMillian says the document will lead to increased costs for his community.
The budget is 2.6-million dollars higher then the one presented in January due to additional uncontrolled costs in Land Ambulance and Ontario Works.The financial document was defeated 5-4, with reps from Dryden, Ear Falls, Ignace and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls also opposed.
Meanwhile, Staff with the Kenora District Services Board must be thinking a climb up Mount Everest is easier then figuring out a 2010 budget that suites everyone need.
The climb could get a lot more complicated because of Provincial Legislation.
The Board defeated the fiscal document on Thursday and is not scheduled to meet again until May.
However, CAO Stain Leaf says they are required by law to submit a balanced budget to the Provincial Government by March 31.
With no current numbers in front of the Government, Leaf is also concerned that the Board may be ignored when the McGuinty Liberals present their budget later this month.
Kenora Councilor Rory McMillian says the document will lead to increased costs for his community.
The budget is 2.6-million dollars higher then the one presented in January due to additional uncontrolled costs in Land Ambulance and Ontario Works.The financial document was defeated 5-4, with reps from Dryden, Ear Falls, Ignace and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls also opposed.
Meanwhile, Staff with the Kenora District Services Board must be thinking a climb up Mount Everest is easier then figuring out a 2010 budget that suites everyone need.
The climb could get a lot more complicated because of Provincial Legislation.
The Board defeated the fiscal document on Thursday and is not scheduled to meet again until May.
However, CAO Stain Leaf says they are required by law to submit a balanced budget to the Provincial Government by March 31.
With no current numbers in front of the Government, Leaf is also concerned that the Board may be ignored when the McGuinty Liberals present their budget later this month.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Chalking Tires
The City of Kenora is starting to chalk tires of vehicles parked at metres beyond the posted time limit.
Municipal Spokesperson Heather Kasprick says there will be a 30 day grace period, but by law officers will start enforcing time limits starting April 15th.
People who park for longer than the posted time limit and have plugged the metre; will still get a 10 dollar ticket if they haven't moved from that spot.
Municipal Spokesperson Heather Kasprick says there will be a 30 day grace period, but by law officers will start enforcing time limits starting April 15th.
People who park for longer than the posted time limit and have plugged the metre; will still get a 10 dollar ticket if they haven't moved from that spot.
Hampton Abitibi Dams
Howard Hampton says AbitibiBowater is again looking to sell-off its hydro-electric assets in northern Ontario.
But the M-P-P for Kenora-Rainy River says it shouldn't come as any surprise.
Hampton says a potential sale of the dams could hurt mills access to cheap power, and is calling on the province to prevent a sale from proceeding.
But the M-P-P for Kenora-Rainy River says it shouldn't come as any surprise.
Hampton says a potential sale of the dams could hurt mills access to cheap power, and is calling on the province to prevent a sale from proceeding.
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