Task Force Presents Drug Strategy to Council

Kenora's Substance and Mental Health Task Force has launched a number of intiatives to try and help reduce drug and alcohol use in the community.

The Task Force presented its drug strategy to council this week.

Michelle Ott is a member of the Education and Harm Reduction committee and says one of their inititatives involves working with whole families.

Ott says they have also surveyed 75 families about their concerns, and drug abuse and binge drinking come out as two of the top issues.

School difficulties and depression and anxiety are also some of the top worries of parents.

Advance Polls to Open Easter Long Weekend

Elections Canada says it has no say in how the advance voting falls for the May 2nd federal election.

Spokesperson Karen Janigan says the law states the advanced voting must be held so many days prior to the actual election day -- but -- she says there are other options available for those who aren't comfortable voting over the Easter weekend:

The Advance polls are open Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday.

CIP for Abitibi Lands gets the Green Light

It looks like the City of Kenora can now proceed with a Community Improvement Plan for the Abitibi properties.

A 30 day appeal period has expired and no objections have been raised about the plan.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says there has already been a lot of interest expressed in the property.

Canfield says they also have to decide what sort of incentives to provide companies to located on the Abitibi lands.

A phased in tax rate in one option being considered.

City Seeks Funding for Harborfront Tent

Kenora City Council isn't giving up its efforts to find funding to help pay for the new Harborfront Tent.

Last summer, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund turned down the city's request money for the tent.

Councillor Sharon Smith says they recently learned that they can appeal that decision and will try once again to secure funding for the 1.4 million dollar Harborfront structure.

The city has applied for 750 thousand dollars from the Heritage Fund.

Northwestern Ontario issues to be Raised at Queen's Park

Opposition day in the Ontario legislature is today and NDP leader Andrea Horwath will be discussing issues in Northwestern Ontario.

Horwath is not happy that the province hasn't truly listened to the North's concerns about Bill 151.

Horwath says despite opposition the government still held the forest tenure hearings in Toronto.