Thursday, May 20, 2010

Toll Booth Update

Couchiching First Nation's protest over its grievances with the federal and provincial governments is to continue today.

Band members are expected to continue a traffic slowdown near the site of a toll that's to be in place tomorrow at noon.

They began handing out leaflets yesterday.

Chief Chuck McPherson says an offer received from the province was rejected at a meeting last night.

Forest Tenure Meetings Underway

The Ontario Forest Industry Association remains critical of the Province's changes to the forest tenure system.

Public meetings started this week, and manager of Forest Policy Scott Jackson says the changes will undermine the government's recent good work.

"We think the government has completely overshot the mark here," says Jackson. "We're concerned that the proposal they're putting in place will lead to less fibre being available to the sector as a whole which is going to reduce investment and employment opportunities over the short, mid and long-term."

Jackson says an open auction for wood supply will impact all forestry businesses from big to small.

Not All Environmentalists Happy

At least one environmental group remains unhappy with recent efforts to protect the Boreal forest.

Earthroots thinks more needs to be done even though 21 forest companies have agreed to stop logging in 29-million hectares of the forest.

Spokesperson David Stone says it's not time to back down.

"We're still very concerned that clear cut logging is continuing," says Stone. "Most of Ontario forests are being logged at a rate that's very unsustainable and doesn't leave enough to protect the clean water and clean air that we depend on."

AbitibiBowater says the deal won't have an impact on its ability to access fibre for the Fort Frances mill.

Flights Increased

There will be more flights out of International Falls this summer.

An $1.3 million agreement between Mesaba Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation will see the Delta-owned airline flying 14 flights per week in and out of Falls International Airport beginning in June.

U.S. Senator Al Franken, who helped secure the grant, says the money provides stability for the airport and bolsters the region’s commerce, economic development, and tourism.

Appreciation Week Plans

The planning continues for physician appreciation week in Fort Frances.

It happens during the week of May 31.

Chair of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee Andrew Hallikas says tickets for a community gathering on June 3 are now available.

"We're going to have a mix and mingle at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.," says Halikas. "This is a community event. We would really like people and families to come out and celebrate their family physician and with their family physician."

Tickets are available at Pharmasave or Shoppers Drug Mart or by calling the Riverside Foundation for Health Care office.