Chiefs and Band Councillors Salaries

The Federal Government is bringing in legislation to make hundreds of First Nations across Canada release the salaries of their Chiefs and band councillors.


The Winnipeg Free Press said in a report out of Ottawa that Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will speak to the details of the bill at a news conference today in Saskatoon.

The legislation brings back to life a bill from a Saskatchewan Tory backbencher that died when the election was called last March.

Kelly Block's bill required First Nations to include details of chief and councillors salaries and reimbursements for expenses in annual audited financial statements.

Council says no to Non-Profit Housing Request

A non-profit housing project in Kenora is getting the thumbs down from city council.

Aamikkowiish Non-Profit Housing is planning to build a number of homes in the community over the next couple of years.

Some of the housing units will be built on property donated by the city, while others are on property purchased by the agency.

Aamiikkowiish had asked the city for funding to extend a sewer and water line from a project its planning between 8th and 9th Streets North.

The projected cost will be 12 to 15 thousand dollars, so council has decided to take a pass on the request.

Ontario Nature warns local communities about nuclear waste storage

An environmental group is concerned over talk that a Northwestern Ontario community might store nuclear waste.

Ontario Nature is worried what that might mean for the other communities in the region.

Spokesperson Peter Rosenbluth says they want to have a strategic conversation with area Municipal leaders and tell them that their decisions impact the entire Northwest.

Campbell Gets Ready for first session at Queen's Park

Almost a month after she was sworn at the Ontario Legislature, Sarah Campbell will be joining her colleagues for her first taste of politics at Queen's Park.

Campbell says her party's focus will be on getting legislation passed to take the HST off home bills.

She says even though the Liberals still control the legislative agenda, the opposition will be able to make its voice heard.

The Speech from the Throne will be read later today with the NDP slated to introduce their private members bill on the HST on Thursday.

Kenora sewer and water rates

Kenora City Council has agreed to proceed with a waste water financial plan even though it could result in a substantial increase in sewer and water rates.

Councillor Ron Lunny says the plan needs to be submitted to the province, or it could jeopardize the who operation of their system.

The city is planning to hold a public meeting on the long range financial plan for the water department sometime in December.

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission is reporting modest job growth in the city
in recent month.

Dennis Wallace presented his 3rd quarter report to council last night and says 61 jobs were created
during that period.

He say while there were 12 new business starts in the past three months, he thinks they can do better.

Wallace suggests provincial energy policies are hindering, rather than helping business expansion in the city.

AbitibiBowater

A multi-million dollar company is seeking a tax break from the City of Kenora.


AbitibiBowater hasn't had a presence in the city for years, but its still in a battle with city hall over property taxes.

Abitibi is asking council for a break on the few remaining building left on lands located on 9th Street North.

The company argues the buildings are damaged and substantially unusable.

Council rejected the claim last ngiht because one of the buildings is currently in use by Wincrief Forest Products.

The application for tax relief dates back to 2010, the last year Abitibi actually owned the property.

The company was encouraged to make a deputation to council to argue its case, but no-one from Abitibi attended last night's open meeting.

New Speaker Elected for Ontario Legislature

Dave Levac, a Liberal who represents the riding of Brant, has been elected Speaker of the Ontario legislature.

Three other Liberals were also vying for the job: Donna Cansfield, Kevin Flynn and David Zimmer.

Now that a Speaker has been chosen, the legislature can officially get back to business with a throne speech tomorrow.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says its too early to say how much premier Dalton McGuinty will be willing to work with the opposition in his minority goverment.

The first question period at Queen's Park will take place on Wednesday, with a fall economic update scheduled for Thursday.

Saints volleyballers ranked 2nd heading into OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys volleyball team is expected to be a force once again this year at the All-Ontario Single A championships.

The Saints go into the OFSAA tournament ranked second in the province.

That despite the fact, T.A. only has two returning players from last year.

A year ago, the Saints won the OFSAA silver medal, after winning gold the two years previous.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas senior girls basketball team will have a much tougher schedule this week at OFSAA.

The Saints are ranked 16th out of 16 teams entered in the Single A championships in St. Catharines.

Both OFSAA championships begin on Thursday.

Ontario Legislative Speaker

History could be made today at the Ontario Legislature, where M-P-Ps will gather to elect a new speaker.

Of the four candidates, the perceived front-runner is Liberal Donna Cansfield, who hopes to become the Legislature's first female speaker.


There are there other Liberals running for the job -- Dave Levac, Kevin Flynn and David Zimmer.
Whoever wins will preside over a minority house.

In the October 6th Ontario election, Premier Dalton McGuinty's

Liberals finished one seat short of forming their third straight majority government.

Treasury Metals

Wabigoon Lake First Nation has served notice of non-compliance of all operations by Treasury Metals.

Chief Ruben Cantin sayas the Company has been conducting exploration work in the area without free and prior consent.

He adds that Treasury has expressed an unwillingness to negotiate any agreements that support the First Nation.

He's ordered a halt on operations until a satisfactory deal is reached and he's asked Natural Resources Minister Rick Bartolucci to get involved.

Cantin adds Wabigoon Lake is prepared to take any and all necessary measures to proect their land and their rights.

Arie Hoogenboom

Sioux Lookout has a new interim CAO and you may recognize his name.


Council has agreed to appoint Arie Hoogenboom to the position, effective tomorrow.

Hoogenboom is the former Dryden City Manager and will serve as CAO for a 6-month term.

Mayor Dennis Leney says Hoogenboom knows the opportunities and challenges facing local communities.

Teen Pregnancy

After analysing four years of birth outcomes in Ontario, Code Red says more and more teens are starting families.

At Sandy Lake First Nation, 40 per cent of the mothers giving birth were teens .

In Pikangikum, 47 of the 144 mothers were between the ages of 15 and 19 and in 2009 there were 53 pregnancies for every thousand teens here in Kenora .

Harmonized Sales Tax

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is making good on her promise to remove the HST from our home heating bills. The NDP party is ready to introduce a private members bill that could save us a few bucks.


Campbell hopes the Conservatives will back her up on the motion to make life more affordable for families in Northwestern Ontario.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Free hot chocolate, apple cider and treats!


It’s all part of this years Christmas Tree Lighting along with free sleigh rides from beaver creek ranch.

It all starts at 5:30 on the corner of Main and Second Street this Thursday night.

15-year-old Boy Charged in Death of Young Girl

A Sandy Lake First Nation teen has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and criminal negligence causing death in relation to the death of a young Big Trout Lake girl.
The body of 11-year-old Chloe Matthews was discovered back in March on the Sacred Heart School property in Sioux Lookout.

The OPP say Matthews died from hypothermia.

Charges against the 15-year-old boy were laid Thursday.

The accused has a preliminary hearing set for March in Sioux Lookout.

His name can't be released.

"Lock it or Lose it!"

It's Midnight Madness in Kenora.

OPP are reminding folks to "Lock it or Lose it!"

Constable Dave Cain says you shouldn’t keep anything valuable in your vehicle.

With Christmas shopping underway keep your purchased items in the trunk, in the glove box, or store them out of sight from would be thieves.

Police say they will continue foot patrols to ensure everyone has a festive season.

Drive Safe this Winter

The winter weather has arrived and Police are urging motorists to take it easy.

Constable Dave Cain says motorists should take their time and slow down.

Cain says drivers should also keep a safe distance between vehicles

The OPP remind motorists to keep snow boots, winter coats and an extra tire in the vehicle in case it breaks down.

Bundle up!

CJRL Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says it might be time to unpack your winter guear!
Laidlaw says it looks like we're in for a so-called La Nina Winter.

Expect a cold winter with less snow.

Long Gun Registry

Bruce Hyer isn't saying if he'll be voting to scrap the long-gun registry when it comes up again for third reading in Parliament.

 The Thunder Bay NDP MP says even though he has voted against the party line on the issue doesn't mean he'll do it again.


Meantime fellow NDPer John Rafferty says he plans to vote to scrap the registry like he did before.