Northern Groups still upset with Forest Tenure Legislation

Groups across northwestern Ontario are speaking out against the provincial government's decision to move forward with its Forest Tenure Reform legislation.

The Standing Committee on General Government met Wednesday to make its final amendments to Bill-151.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says the act is still flawed and will create uncertainty in the forest sector.

Despite recent assurances from the Minster of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, the OFIA says the government hasn't really addressed its concerns.

The Northwestern Associated Chambers of Commerce and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association have expressed similar concerns. 

Sioux Narrows to get a new municipal building

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls is expected to begin work soon on a new municipal building.

The federal and provincial governments promised 165 thousand dollars towards construction of the half million dollar building.

Bill Thompson is mayor of the community and says it will really be a multi-purpose facility.

The federal government has extended the deadline for completion of all infrastructure projects until October of this year.

Bronco Soccer Teams Struggle in the Fort

Not a good start to the season for Beaver Brae's soccer teams.

Both the Bronco Boys and girls teams were in Fort Frances yesterday.

Beaver Brae's boys lost 3-1 decisions to both the Muskies and the Dryden Eagles.

The Bronco girls were upended 2-0 by the Eagles.

Their next action is in Kenora next Wednesday at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

Council agrees to more money for Harborfront Tent

Its going to cost 100 thousand dollars more than expected to put up a new tent on the Kenora Harborfront.

Council held a special meeting yesterday to decide whether to spend the extra money to install permanant, retractable sidewalls on the tent, rather that the seasonal, removable ones, which had been proposed in the original tender.

Councillor Ron Lunny says in the end, it made sense to spend the extra money.

The extra 100 thousand dollars will be taken from the city's contingency reserve fund.

Only councillor Louis Roussin voted against the decision to install the permanent sidewalls.

Firearms Seizure on Kasabonika Lake

The Northwest Regional Guns and Gangs Unit has charged a 45-year-old man in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

Police executed a search warrant last Friday and seized 10-firearms and 4-prohibited devices.

Officers found semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and 4 high-capacity rifle magazines.

Police say John Winter faces 3-charges including weapons trafficking and careless storage.

Winter will appear in court on June 16th.

OFAH Happy with Majority Consevative Government

The Vice-President of the  Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters sees a Majority Conservative Government as a good thing for the future of the long gun registry.

Glenn Rivard says the PM has promised them he'll scrap it and the OFAH will hold him to that

promise.

Rivard notes the Harper Government has also promised to form a National Advisory Panel on Fish and Wildlife Management.

NAN Chief Weigh In on Federal Election Results

The Grand Chief of Nishanawbie-Aski Nation is congratulating the Conservative and NDP parties for their successes in the Federal election.

However, Stan Beardy is concerned that NAN issues may get lost in the shuffle.

Beardy is hoping that between the two parties; NAN will have some of their issues adressed.

Like most Canadians, Beardy says he was surprised at the final results from Monday's vote.