Kenora Airport Receives Government Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting almost 99 thousand dollars for the federal government.

The funding was announced today to replace the Airfield Electrical Generator.

MP Greg Rickford says funding is essential to support the growth of the airport.

Rickford adds the government has provided around 1.3 million dollars to the airport in the last few years including a new snobblowing machine and a perimeter fence.

Doctors Reach Deal with the Province

Ontario's doctors are to vote next month on a tentative deal reached between the Ontario Medical Association and the cash-strapped provincial government.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government reversed some earlier fee cuts that were supposed to save 340 million dollars a year to reach the agreement with the doctors.

The O.M.A., which had launched a court challenge of the fee cuts, says it's pleased the government agreed to reverse some of the cuts.

The Progressive Conservatives lashed out at the Liberals for not sticking to the announced fee cuts, and complained they can't ask questions about the deal in the legislature.

The New Democrats say the Liberals are sending the wrong message to other public sector workers who started negotiations with the government on a wage freeze yesterday.

Council Promises More Openess

Kenora City council is promising to be more open in the future.

Council has received a report from the Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator.

Mayor Dave Canfield says even though the complaint wasn't directed at this edition of council and there was no wrong-dorin the investigator did have some useful suggestions.

Former mayor Joyce Chevrier had asked the Closed Meeting investigator to look into the decision by the previous council to remove the covenant on Norman Park in an in-camera session.

Kenora's Mayor for the Day Completes Duties

Kenora's mayor for the day says she has a new appreciation for municipal workers.

Maya Boivin has wrapped her tour of duty as mayor.

She says she even found last nights two hour committee of the whole meeting interesting.

The grade 12 Thomas Aquinas student had a whirlwind tour of several of the city's facilities during yesterday's stint as Mayor for the Day.

ELA Being Sold?

The Coalition to save the ELA says the government is working to privatize the Experimental Lakes Area.

Coalition Director Diane Orihel says negotiations are underway to sell the ELA.

Orihel adds that the buyer does not want to be named during the negotiations.

In the meantime, she says the possible sale of the Experimental Lakes Area has scientists guessing about the future.

Coalition to save the ELA says the scientists working in the ELA have not be informed about any changes the sale might bring.

OPSEU Opens Talks with Province

The possible privatization of the some government services is on the table as the government employees union in Ontario begins contract talks with the province today.

Neil MacDonald represents workers in northwestern Ontario and says they want to make sure such services are protected.

MacDonald also hopes the needs of the north will be looked after during this round of bargaining,.

Kenora High School Hockey Teams Open Season with Wins

The NorWOSSA Hockey Season is now underway and it was a good start for all three Kenora high school teams in action last night.

Thomas Aquinas teams swept Sioux Lookout in their season openers.

The T.A. boys got by the Warriors 8-2 at the Kenora Rec. Center last night.

Tanner Kapera and Rory Keith had a pair of goals in the victory.

In Sioux Lookout, the Saints girls cruised to an 11-0 win over Queen Elizabeth High School.

Kylee Neniska, Lexi Williams, and Tess Derouard each finished the game with 2 goals and an assist.

The Beaver Brae Boys hockey team was in Red Lake and romped to an 8-1 win over Red Lake.

Easton Gautier scored a pair of goals for the Broncos in the victory.