The House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a harmonized sales tax for Ontario and British Columbia.
Even though the bill was controversial -- and has angered many --the three biggest federal parties supported it.
Only the NDP voted against it.
The Ontario legislature passed its own legislation yesterday and B.C. is expected to follow suit early in the new year.
Next July 1st, the two provinces will combine their retails sales tax with the G-S-T to form the HST.
It will be 12 per cent in B-C, and 13 per cent in Ontario.
Critics denounce the combined tax as a cash grab.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
State Aid Stays Same
International Falls won't see any further decrease in state aid this month, but it's not getting any more either.
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced earlier this week he had no plans to change the amount of money given to Minnesota cities and counties.
Administrator Rod Otterness says the amount of money expected will still be smaller than usual.
"He had earlier announced that he would be reducing our payments by $138-thousand in 2009," says Otterness. "That would be 69-thousand in our July cheque and $69-thousand in our December cheque and we are still loosing that amount of money."
The city is now looking at regaining the shortfall in funding from the past two years of cuts with a projected 17 per cent hike in taxes.
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced earlier this week he had no plans to change the amount of money given to Minnesota cities and counties.
Administrator Rod Otterness says the amount of money expected will still be smaller than usual.
"He had earlier announced that he would be reducing our payments by $138-thousand in 2009," says Otterness. "That would be 69-thousand in our July cheque and $69-thousand in our December cheque and we are still loosing that amount of money."
The city is now looking at regaining the shortfall in funding from the past two years of cuts with a projected 17 per cent hike in taxes.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Kenora Council Backing Pensions
Kenora City Council is throwing its support behind a resolution calling on the federal and provincial levels of government to work with AbitibiBowater and its unions to protect employee pensions.
The union wants to set up a trust fund to protect the pensions of some 29 thousand current and retired workers.
AbitibiBowater is currently under bankruptcy protection, but the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union is worried that workers could lose up to 27 percent of their pensions if the company goes broke.
The resolution suggests that pension income reductions will have a negative impact on National, provincial and municipal economies.
The union wants to set up a trust fund to protect the pensions of some 29 thousand current and retired workers.
AbitibiBowater is currently under bankruptcy protection, but the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union is worried that workers could lose up to 27 percent of their pensions if the company goes broke.
The resolution suggests that pension income reductions will have a negative impact on National, provincial and municipal economies.
Strobes for Buses
The visibility of school buses operating in the Rainy River district is being enhanced.
Buses are being equipped with strobe lights, made possible through funding acquired by Safe Communities Rainy River District and C-N Rail.
Local Iron Range Bus Lines manager Terry Higgins supports their use.
"It's definitely beneficial," says Higgins. "Anytime you can increase the visibility of a vehicle carrying children it's definitely a plus."
Local bus operators are responsible for the installation of the new safety feature, which Higgins says takes only a couple of hours to complete.
Buses are being equipped with strobe lights, made possible through funding acquired by Safe Communities Rainy River District and C-N Rail.
Local Iron Range Bus Lines manager Terry Higgins supports their use.
"It's definitely beneficial," says Higgins. "Anytime you can increase the visibility of a vehicle carrying children it's definitely a plus."
Local bus operators are responsible for the installation of the new safety feature, which Higgins says takes only a couple of hours to complete.
Dog Bites Cop
OPP in Marathon were forced to shoot a pit bull-like dog after it bit down on an officer's leg.
But police say it kept on attacking, even though it was shot in the spine.
The officer was treated and released from hospital and the dog was later put down in Thunder Bay.
But police say it kept on attacking, even though it was shot in the spine.
The officer was treated and released from hospital and the dog was later put down in Thunder Bay.
Fire Kills Two
More tragedy in the remote community of Pikangikum, north of Red Lake.
Two girls, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old, were killed in a house fire that occurred last Friday.
Band officials stated yesterday that their mother, Victoria Quill suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, when she attempted to rescue the two children.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Two girls, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old, were killed in a house fire that occurred last Friday.
Band officials stated yesterday that their mother, Victoria Quill suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, when she attempted to rescue the two children.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
RIDE Stats Released
The first week of the Ontario Provincial Police's Festive Ride program has resulted in at least one driver being charged with impaired driving in the Rainy River district.
More than 23-hundred vehicles were checked between November 29 and December 4.
Police did charge 14 people for other liquor license and highway traffic acts violations during the week.
There were also 16 motor vehicle accidents, three resulting in personal injury.
More than 23-hundred vehicles were checked between November 29 and December 4.
Police did charge 14 people for other liquor license and highway traffic acts violations during the week.
There were also 16 motor vehicle accidents, three resulting in personal injury.
Police Pursuit in Fort Frances
A young person faces a number of charges following an incident early Sunday morning that resulted in an OPP pursuit through Fort Frances and damages to two police vehicles.
It began when police attempted to pull over a vehicle whose driver was seen not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver refused to stop, resulting the chase, eventually involving two police vehicles.
The chase came to a dead end road at Pither's Point Park where the suspect vehicle turned around and rammed one of the cruisers at high speed.
An officer was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
A short time later, another police vehicle was struck on Mowat Avenue before police were able to partially disable to suspect's vehicle into a snowbank on Front Street.
As officers attempted to remove the driver and two occupants, the driver tried to drive away, dragging two officers a short distance before the vehicle was again stopped.
A brief foot chase then ensued before all three were arrested.
One person, whose name or age were not released, appeared in court yesterday on three counts of assaulting a peace officer, two counts of mischief, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and flight from a police officer.
Police further charges are pending.
It began when police attempted to pull over a vehicle whose driver was seen not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver refused to stop, resulting the chase, eventually involving two police vehicles.
The chase came to a dead end road at Pither's Point Park where the suspect vehicle turned around and rammed one of the cruisers at high speed.
An officer was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
A short time later, another police vehicle was struck on Mowat Avenue before police were able to partially disable to suspect's vehicle into a snowbank on Front Street.
As officers attempted to remove the driver and two occupants, the driver tried to drive away, dragging two officers a short distance before the vehicle was again stopped.
A brief foot chase then ensued before all three were arrested.
One person, whose name or age were not released, appeared in court yesterday on three counts of assaulting a peace officer, two counts of mischief, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and flight from a police officer.
Police further charges are pending.
Local Sports for Tuesday December 8
Fort Frances and International Falls renew rivalries in girls hockey tonight.
The Muskies and Broncos will hook up for the second time in less than a week at the Ice for Kids Arena beginning at 7:15.
Fans are being encouraged to bring a teddy bear to throw to the ice when the Muskies score their first goal.
Meantime the Broncos boys hockey team will host Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 at Bronco Arena
Broncos girls basketball team dropped at 64-54 decision to the Lake of the Woods Bears at the Falls High School last night.
Broncos are now 1 and 2 on the season.
Broncos boys team begins its schedule tonight with a home game against Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 at Falls High School.
And the Broncos boys swim and dive team also kick of its season with competition in Hibbing this afternoon.
Fort Frances Leafs under-14 girls team claimed third place at a tournament in Superior, Wisconsin on the weekend with a 5-1 decision over Duluth.
Shelby Rae paced the Leafs with a pair of goals.
Katie Sinclair, Shelby Tymkin Taylor Hazel got the others.
The team travels to Thunder Bay for another tournament his coming weekend.
A successful weekend for members of the Sunset Country Squash Club in Thunder Bay on the weekend.
Jason Kabel won the A-side consolation title.
Annis Seid won the B-side while Bryon Skirten capture the D-side event
Angel McCormack took the D-side consolation while Mary Beth Tkachuk earned a berth to the C-side finals.
The Muskies and Broncos will hook up for the second time in less than a week at the Ice for Kids Arena beginning at 7:15.
Fans are being encouraged to bring a teddy bear to throw to the ice when the Muskies score their first goal.
Meantime the Broncos boys hockey team will host Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 at Bronco Arena
Broncos girls basketball team dropped at 64-54 decision to the Lake of the Woods Bears at the Falls High School last night.
Broncos are now 1 and 2 on the season.
Broncos boys team begins its schedule tonight with a home game against Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 at Falls High School.
And the Broncos boys swim and dive team also kick of its season with competition in Hibbing this afternoon.
Fort Frances Leafs under-14 girls team claimed third place at a tournament in Superior, Wisconsin on the weekend with a 5-1 decision over Duluth.
Shelby Rae paced the Leafs with a pair of goals.
Katie Sinclair, Shelby Tymkin Taylor Hazel got the others.
The team travels to Thunder Bay for another tournament his coming weekend.
A successful weekend for members of the Sunset Country Squash Club in Thunder Bay on the weekend.
Jason Kabel won the A-side consolation title.
Annis Seid won the B-side while Bryon Skirten capture the D-side event
Angel McCormack took the D-side consolation while Mary Beth Tkachuk earned a berth to the C-side finals.
Auditor Report Released
The opposition parties say the latest report from Ontario's auditor general shows the Liberal government is doing a poor job of managing taxpayers' money.
The auditor found the Ministry of Social Services isn't very good at determining who is eligible for welfare and disability supports,and has overpaid $1.2 billion.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says it's clear the Liberals have ``lost sight of the ball'' when there are such``exorbitant overpayments'' for social assistance benefits.
He says there's a culture in government that seems to believe taxpayer dollars ``are their own to spend as they see fit.''
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is concerned with the auditor's findings that many bridges in Ontario are not being inspected as often as they should be.
Horwath says the auditor's report shows the government's attitude towards public safety is "sloppy at best.''
The auditor also found every member of some families on social assistance are diagnosed with identical, multiple medical conditions so each can receive the maximum dietary allowance of 250 dollars a month.
He says some families get about 50-thousand dollars a year, tax free, from social assistance and the dietary supplements.
The auditor found the Ministry of Social Services isn't very good at determining who is eligible for welfare and disability supports,and has overpaid $1.2 billion.
Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says it's clear the Liberals have ``lost sight of the ball'' when there are such``exorbitant overpayments'' for social assistance benefits.
He says there's a culture in government that seems to believe taxpayer dollars ``are their own to spend as they see fit.''
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is concerned with the auditor's findings that many bridges in Ontario are not being inspected as often as they should be.
Horwath says the auditor's report shows the government's attitude towards public safety is "sloppy at best.''
The auditor also found every member of some families on social assistance are diagnosed with identical, multiple medical conditions so each can receive the maximum dietary allowance of 250 dollars a month.
He says some families get about 50-thousand dollars a year, tax free, from social assistance and the dietary supplements.
Liberals End HST Hearings
Ontario New Democrats are accusing the Liberals of shutting down a legislative committee discussing the controversial sales tax merger.
The committee was considering amendments to a bill to harmonize the eight per cent provincial sales tax with the five per cent GST.
A statement from the NDP says the committee was shut down Monday night when Liberals "walked off the job and refused to return.''
The committee was considering amendments to a bill to harmonize the eight per cent provincial sales tax with the five per cent GST.
A statement from the NDP says the committee was shut down Monday night when Liberals "walked off the job and refused to return.''
Stay Off the Ice
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning parents to keep their children off the thin ice that's now forming across much of the state.
As of Monday, no ice in the state was consistently four inches thick, which is the minimum recommended to support the weight of a person.
Tim Smalley of the DNR says conservation officers report that some people are starting to tiptoe out onto a few frozen ponds - something he says is not a good idea.
As of Monday, no ice in the state was consistently four inches thick, which is the minimum recommended to support the weight of a person.
Tim Smalley of the DNR says conservation officers report that some people are starting to tiptoe out onto a few frozen ponds - something he says is not a good idea.
Amendments Killed Trees
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is lashing out at the McGuinty Liberals for claims the introduction of a half-a-million opposition amendments towards the HST has hurt the environment.
Because rules require the amendments to be put on paper and reproduced, the Liberals says its cost taxpayers 250-thousand dollar and killed 620 trees.
Hampton calls the Liberals claims as silly.
"This nonsense about saying you're wasting money or you're wasting trees is absurd," says Hampton. "It's just more of the silliness that we've seen at Queens Park over the past two weeks."
But Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi says the opposition should have been more responsible in its actions.
Because rules require the amendments to be put on paper and reproduced, the Liberals says its cost taxpayers 250-thousand dollar and killed 620 trees.
Hampton calls the Liberals claims as silly.
"This nonsense about saying you're wasting money or you're wasting trees is absurd," says Hampton. "It's just more of the silliness that we've seen at Queens Park over the past two weeks."
But Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi says the opposition should have been more responsible in its actions.
Grant Money Doled Out
Several organizations in the Rainy River district will share in almost 200-thousand dollars from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club will get $51-thousand to purchase ski and trail grooming equipment and construct an addition to the ski chalet for storage.
$37-thousand will go to the town of Fort Frances and its purchase two self-check stations for the new library and technology centre.
Atikokan Intergenerational Centre for Arts and Alternatives is receiving $34-thousand to assist with its operating costs as it develops a new strategic plan.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 145 in Atikokan is using $30-thousand to install a new roof.
And Naicatchewenin First Nation will get $15-thousand to purchase equipment to establish a community garden.
The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club will get $51-thousand to purchase ski and trail grooming equipment and construct an addition to the ski chalet for storage.
$37-thousand will go to the town of Fort Frances and its purchase two self-check stations for the new library and technology centre.
Atikokan Intergenerational Centre for Arts and Alternatives is receiving $34-thousand to assist with its operating costs as it develops a new strategic plan.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 145 in Atikokan is using $30-thousand to install a new roof.
And Naicatchewenin First Nation will get $15-thousand to purchase equipment to establish a community garden.
Bag Tags Up As Well
The cost to get rid of your garbage in the town of Fort Frances is also expected to rise.
Bag tags will cost two dollars in the new year with tipping fees at the landfill site to go up as well.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says as more people recycle, revenue generated at the landfill is decreasing.
"It's a little different than most places as I don't see the economy coming back," says Brown, "with the landfill site making the revenue that we used to make a year ago. It's gone down. People are recycling more. They don't want to pay the fees so we're getting crunched."
Councillor Ken Perry opposed to the increase, concerned it would be a trend that would lead to higher fees in the future.
Bag tags will cost two dollars in the new year with tipping fees at the landfill site to go up as well.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says as more people recycle, revenue generated at the landfill is decreasing.
"It's a little different than most places as I don't see the economy coming back," says Brown, "with the landfill site making the revenue that we used to make a year ago. It's gone down. People are recycling more. They don't want to pay the fees so we're getting crunched."
Councillor Ken Perry opposed to the increase, concerned it would be a trend that would lead to higher fees in the future.
User Fees Going Up
The town of Fort Frances is looking at a 2 per cent increase in user fees for most services within the municipality.
The increase was discussed at a meeting of council late yesterday (Monday) afternoon.
Councillor Paul Ryan feels the increase is reasonable.
"It keeps up with the purchasing power of the dollar," says Ryan. "It keeps up with inflation and that's about it. We aren't generating more money this year than last due to increases in wages, fuel, etc. We're pretty much staying the same."
But Ryan warns fees will riser higher in the middle of next year when HST must be applied to most - a hike Ryan says the municipality has no control over.
The increase was discussed at a meeting of council late yesterday (Monday) afternoon.
Councillor Paul Ryan feels the increase is reasonable.
"It keeps up with the purchasing power of the dollar," says Ryan. "It keeps up with inflation and that's about it. We aren't generating more money this year than last due to increases in wages, fuel, etc. We're pretty much staying the same."
But Ryan warns fees will riser higher in the middle of next year when HST must be applied to most - a hike Ryan says the municipality has no control over.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Local Sports for Monday December 7
Some hardware for Steve Arpin on the weekend at the ARCA/ReMax Series Championship Banquet.
Arpin was named ARCA Nation's Most Popular Driver.
He finished seventh in points in his rookie season.
Venturini Motorsports also confirmed Saturday the Fort Frances native will drive one of its cars in next February's ARCA race at Daytona Speedway.
Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team lost in the consolation final of a tournament in Brandon 5-2 to Garden Valley.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team lost 2-1 to Dryden in NORWOSSA action on Saturday.
Shae-Lynn Smith the lone goal scorer for the Muskies who face International Falls tomorrow night at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Friday the Muskies lost 3-2 to the Broncos in International Falls
Fort Frances Lakers were thumped 8-2 by the Dryden Ice Dogs Friday.
Jordan Carne and Cody Edwards scored for the Lakers.
The two teams meet again Wednesday in Dryden.
Rainy River Community College women's hockey team dropped a pair of games on the weekend to South Dakota State University, 9-4 Sunday and 4-2 Saturday.
Stevie-Lee Langford with a pair, Kylie Harala and Courtney Scholler scored in Sunday's game.
Scholler, Kyla Thorne had goals in Saturday's game.
Plenty of girls hockey action on the weekend
The Nor-Fab Flames Peewee Girls Rep Team beat the Dryden 4-0 Saturday.
Amber Jourdain and Amy Penner each scored twice.
Sunday, the Flames loss to the Peewee boys Greens Predators 4-3.
Penner again had two goals with Jourdain picking up the other.
Scoring for Greens were Ben Whitburn, Alex Gustafason, and Matt Cheetham with a pair.
The Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom Girls Rep Team split a pair of games with International Falls under-10 team, losing 3-0 Saturday before rebounding for a 7-5 win on Sunday.
Alyssa Alderson and Annaleise Hayes scored hat-tricks for the Hurricanes.
In Peewee Girls action, Super 8 edged Lakewood Tire Eagles 5-4.
Madisyn Degagne had four goals for Super 8.
Amber Jourdain added the other.
Jessica Coran and Amy Penner each had a pair for the Eagles.
Super 8 also blanked the Emo Boys 5-0, getting a pair of goals from Madisyn DeGagne and singles from Lindsey Dixon, Abbi Perreault and Claire Tibbs.
Eagles earned a 6-4 win over the International Falls under-12 team.
Coran had a hat-trick with Penner adding two and Rachel Jean adding the other.
Taylor Zawchanuk with 2, Margaret Hawler and Ashley Johnson scored for the Falls.
Fort Frances Timbits novice girls beat Emo Rockets 7-3.
Rolling Lake Lightning atom girls relied on a substitute netminder in a 4-0 win over the Emo Penguins.
Another player was forced to fill in without a goalie stick or pads after the Lightning's original netminder was forced to leave the game in the second with the flu.
Katelyn Gurniak and Marissa Loveday combined for the shutout.
Rainy River Community College basketball teams earn a split against Fergus Falls Friday.
The women's team won 69-61, but the men fell 98-77.
Fort Frances Muskies junior boys basketball team won its own tournament Saturday with a 46-36 win over Kenora's Beaver Brae Broncos in the final
International Falls Broncos girls basketball team host Lake of the Woods tonight - 7:30 at the Falls High School.
Friday, the Broncos lost to Deer River 74-44.
Muskies senior girls volleyball team were eliminated in the quarter-finals of a tournament in Dryden, losing to Portage La Prairie in 3-sets.
Muskies went through pool play with a 6 and 6 record, defeating Hammarskjold of Thunder Bay in a playoff match before losing to the Manitoba team.
Arpin was named ARCA Nation's Most Popular Driver.
He finished seventh in points in his rookie season.
Venturini Motorsports also confirmed Saturday the Fort Frances native will drive one of its cars in next February's ARCA race at Daytona Speedway.
Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team lost in the consolation final of a tournament in Brandon 5-2 to Garden Valley.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team lost 2-1 to Dryden in NORWOSSA action on Saturday.
Shae-Lynn Smith the lone goal scorer for the Muskies who face International Falls tomorrow night at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Friday the Muskies lost 3-2 to the Broncos in International Falls
Fort Frances Lakers were thumped 8-2 by the Dryden Ice Dogs Friday.
Jordan Carne and Cody Edwards scored for the Lakers.
The two teams meet again Wednesday in Dryden.
Rainy River Community College women's hockey team dropped a pair of games on the weekend to South Dakota State University, 9-4 Sunday and 4-2 Saturday.
Stevie-Lee Langford with a pair, Kylie Harala and Courtney Scholler scored in Sunday's game.
Scholler, Kyla Thorne had goals in Saturday's game.
Plenty of girls hockey action on the weekend
The Nor-Fab Flames Peewee Girls Rep Team beat the Dryden 4-0 Saturday.
Amber Jourdain and Amy Penner each scored twice.
Sunday, the Flames loss to the Peewee boys Greens Predators 4-3.
Penner again had two goals with Jourdain picking up the other.
Scoring for Greens were Ben Whitburn, Alex Gustafason, and Matt Cheetham with a pair.
The Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom Girls Rep Team split a pair of games with International Falls under-10 team, losing 3-0 Saturday before rebounding for a 7-5 win on Sunday.
Alyssa Alderson and Annaleise Hayes scored hat-tricks for the Hurricanes.
In Peewee Girls action, Super 8 edged Lakewood Tire Eagles 5-4.
Madisyn Degagne had four goals for Super 8.
Amber Jourdain added the other.
Jessica Coran and Amy Penner each had a pair for the Eagles.
Super 8 also blanked the Emo Boys 5-0, getting a pair of goals from Madisyn DeGagne and singles from Lindsey Dixon, Abbi Perreault and Claire Tibbs.
Eagles earned a 6-4 win over the International Falls under-12 team.
Coran had a hat-trick with Penner adding two and Rachel Jean adding the other.
Taylor Zawchanuk with 2, Margaret Hawler and Ashley Johnson scored for the Falls.
Fort Frances Timbits novice girls beat Emo Rockets 7-3.
Rolling Lake Lightning atom girls relied on a substitute netminder in a 4-0 win over the Emo Penguins.
Another player was forced to fill in without a goalie stick or pads after the Lightning's original netminder was forced to leave the game in the second with the flu.
Katelyn Gurniak and Marissa Loveday combined for the shutout.
Rainy River Community College basketball teams earn a split against Fergus Falls Friday.
The women's team won 69-61, but the men fell 98-77.
Fort Frances Muskies junior boys basketball team won its own tournament Saturday with a 46-36 win over Kenora's Beaver Brae Broncos in the final
International Falls Broncos girls basketball team host Lake of the Woods tonight - 7:30 at the Falls High School.
Friday, the Broncos lost to Deer River 74-44.
Muskies senior girls volleyball team were eliminated in the quarter-finals of a tournament in Dryden, losing to Portage La Prairie in 3-sets.
Muskies went through pool play with a 6 and 6 record, defeating Hammarskjold of Thunder Bay in a playoff match before losing to the Manitoba team.
New H1N1 Numbers
The number of cases of the swine flu in northwestern Ontario has dropped considerably over the past couple of weeks.
Figures released by the Ontario Ministry of Health show there were just two new cases of the H1N1 virus this past week.
That brings the number of cases in the region to 72 since the start of the fall flu season.
Figures released by the Ontario Ministry of Health show there were just two new cases of the H1N1 virus this past week.
That brings the number of cases in the region to 72 since the start of the fall flu season.
Calls for Meeting Renewed
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty renewed calls in the House of Commons for a meeting between the finance minister and AbitibiBowater and the Communication Energy and Paperworkers Union to discuss their plans to secure workers pensions.
Rafferty says since his first request two weeks ago, there's been no such meeting.
"Mr. Speaker, on November 20, I rose in this House and asked the Ministry of Finance if he was willing to meet with representatives of AbitibiBowater and CEP to hear their requests for changes in federal regulations to secure the pensions of more than 25,000 Canadian forestry workers," said Rafferty. "The minister agreed to such a meeting, but only after they met with his provincial counterparts first. Those provincial meetings have now happened, so I ask today, has the minister finally met with these representatives as he said he would, and if not, is such a meeting scheduled? Will the minister be part of the solution?"
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Ted Menzies said a meeting is still planned, but no date has yet been set.
Rafferty says since his first request two weeks ago, there's been no such meeting.
"Mr. Speaker, on November 20, I rose in this House and asked the Ministry of Finance if he was willing to meet with representatives of AbitibiBowater and CEP to hear their requests for changes in federal regulations to secure the pensions of more than 25,000 Canadian forestry workers," said Rafferty. "The minister agreed to such a meeting, but only after they met with his provincial counterparts first. Those provincial meetings have now happened, so I ask today, has the minister finally met with these representatives as he said he would, and if not, is such a meeting scheduled? Will the minister be part of the solution?"
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Ted Menzies said a meeting is still planned, but no date has yet been set.
Victims of Violence Remembered
About forty people gathered at Knox United Church yesterday to mark the twentieth anniversary of the murderous rampage at a Montreal university.
Fourteen women were killed and 13 others wounded during a shooting rampage by Marc Lepine.
Peggy Loyie of Rainy River District Victim Services said it was also a day to remember the countless others of women who have become victims of violence.
"This is a day for all of us to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society," said Loyie. "It also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence."
The names and photos of 16 women from the Rainy River district murdered over the past twenty years were also shown to those attending who lit candles in remembrances.
Raquel Desrosiers , who's mother Karla was killed two years ago, was among those on hand.
"It's really sad we have to lose women like this," says Desrosiers. "They have the numbers of all these women who are missing and murdered, but the numbers are actually a lot higher than that. It's scary. It's up to us to speak for the women who don't have voices anymore."
Fourteen women were killed and 13 others wounded during a shooting rampage by Marc Lepine.
Peggy Loyie of Rainy River District Victim Services said it was also a day to remember the countless others of women who have become victims of violence.
"This is a day for all of us to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society," said Loyie. "It also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence."
The names and photos of 16 women from the Rainy River district murdered over the past twenty years were also shown to those attending who lit candles in remembrances.
Raquel Desrosiers , who's mother Karla was killed two years ago, was among those on hand.
"It's really sad we have to lose women like this," says Desrosiers. "They have the numbers of all these women who are missing and murdered, but the numbers are actually a lot higher than that. It's scary. It's up to us to speak for the women who don't have voices anymore."
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