Ontario Election Day Two

(CJUK photo)


NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling out the Liberal Government for sending out press releases attacking her northern Ontario platform.

Horwath says if the McGuinty Liberals want to attack her policies they can take part in a northern Ontario specific debate.

Horwath spoke to a crowd of party faithful in Thunder Bay last night.

The issue of helping some newcomers find work in Canada became a hot topic yesterday on the campaign trail.

PC Leader Tim Hudak says a Liberal plan to give tax credits to employers who hire professionals trained aboard doesn't help the 500-thousand people in the province who can't find work.

The Liberal party countered by saying such attitudes are intolerant and anti-immigration.

Employment and training appears to be the focus of the party leaders as they visit the Toronto area today.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is in Newmarket at a solar panels plant.

Hudak visits a training centre in Toronto while Horwath is at one in Oakville.

Atikokan Residents to Celebrate Canoe Trip

(Atikokan Progress photo)


An Atikokan man, travelling the historic Voyageur route by canoe, will be see some familiar faces when he reaches Montreal next week.

Donna Zachariah says a trip is being organized for residents to greet Mike Ranta when he completes the 52-hundred kilometre journey.

"We certainly are going to have a celebration in Atikokan," says Zachariah, "but we also felt it was also very important to have him see, once he came up to Montreal in a canoe, somebody there from Atikokan. We feel what he's doing is representing the heart and spirit of Atikokan."

Residents are also being asked to sign a congratulatory banner.

Contest Deadline Extended

The Atikokan Economic Development Corporation is giving people some extra time to submit their ideas that help promote the town as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.

The Corporation set up a contest, but received only a few submissions by an August 31st deadline.

It's hoping more ideas come forward by the end of the month.

Knights of Columbus Celebrate

The Knights of Columbus will celebrate their 75th year in the Fort Frances area this weekend.

Grand Knight Herman Rodriques says the Knights have played a significant role in improving the quality of life for residents.

"One time, I'm told, in the early 1970's, the old Knight of Columbus hall across the arena was the place to be if you want to get married," says Rodriques. "The Knights did raise a lot of funds through its bingos and weddings. There was a very substantial contribution to the community."

A dinner Saturday night and a mass Sunday highlight festivities.

Border Concert Series Underway

The Border Concert Association will offer five shows as part of its entertainment series at Backus Auditorium in International Falls.

Paul Follan of Allied Concert Services says they come at a very affordable cost.

"The prices on the Canadian side are $45 for adults, $10 dollars for students and $95 for a family," says Follan. "It's the same price on the American side. It's a great value. If you go to all of them it's like nine dollars a show."

Street Corner Symphony, runner-up in the NBC Reality Show Sing Off, kicks things off September 30.

Ontario Election Day Two

On the provincial election campaign, Premier Dalton McGuinty says tens of thousands of new clean energy jobs would be put at risk if the Progressive Conservatives are elected on October 6.

McGuinty made the statement as he visited London to announce Samsung's intentions to build four manufacturing plants in southern Ontario.

McGuinty says PC Leader Tim Hudak's promise to tear up the contract with Samsung will kill the jobs the plants bring.

The New Democrats are promising to create a northern Ontario legislative committee as part of their northern election platform.

During a campaign stop in Sudbury Thursday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also promised to re-establish an independent ministry of aboriginal affairs instead of the joint ministry that's now in place.

And Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he will "enforce the law" when it comes to doctors who charge illegal user fees.

He says he'll make sure no one will be able to charge patients for medically necessary services if he's elected premier,

Union Attempts to Restart Talks

The union representing striking support staff at Ontario community colleges is urging students, staff and members of the public to pressure college administration.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is asking that calls and emails be sent urging a return to the bargaining table.

The strike is entering its second week.

Cafeteria Concerns

A proposal to have students enrolled in a hospitality program operate the cafeteria at Fort Frances High School is drawing some concern from at least one Rainy River District School board trustee.

Dan Belluz says while seeing the initiative as a learning experience, cost is a big factor.

The move to have students take over the cafeteria comes after the previous operator, Kathy's Katering, choose not to renew its contract citing increased demands from the board.

Ontario Election Campaign Day 2

More sniping and attacks are likely again today on the campaign trail.

The tone was set yesterday when the Liberals branded Tory Leader Tim Hudak 'Tea Party Tim.'

Hudak shot back that it was Premier Dalton McGuinty who is being divisive and accused him of wasting tax dollars.

New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath, however, says she didn't want to spend the campaign "squabbling" with her opponents.

Horwath brings her campaign to northwestern Ontario with a stop in Thunder Bay tonight.

Early Voting Opportunity

The provincial election campaign is only in its second day, but voters can cast a ballot today if they choose.

Chief Returning Officer for the Kenora-Rainy River riding Ian Simpson says it's through a new special ballot in place for this election.

Voters can apply for the ballot on-line or at area returning offices.

Simpson says it will be at least another week before voter information cards are sent out identifying voter days and locations.

Heritage Party Still Seeking Candidates

It's becoming doubtful the Northern Ontario Heritage Party will have a candidate running for election in Kenora-Rainy River.

Party leader Ed Deibel says no one has come forward to run in this or any of the ten other northern Ontario ridings he wanted this election.

If candidates can't be found in at least two ridings, the party, formed in May 2010, may have to de-register.

Boil Water Advisory

Residents in Couchiching First Nation are being advised to boil their water before using it for consumption.

The advisory comes after services were shutdown for several hours yesterday for maintenance.

It will remain in effect until further notice.

Ontario Election Campaign Begins

The campaigning for the October 6 Ontario election officially starts today.

Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty is seeking his third consecutive term as Premier.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says Ontario can't afford another four years of Liberal rule.

New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath is hoping to cash-in on the gains made by the federal NDP.

Kenora-Rainy River Candidates Ready

Candidates seeking election in Kenora-Rainy River are ready to campaign for your vote October 6.

Conservative Rod McKay says he's preparing to run a basic campaign focusing on the issues.

McKay feels the rising costs for northerners will be the key issue this election.

Liberal Candidate Anthony Leek will be busy getting himself known in the riding.

Leek says his campaign will be one of emphasizing on the positives that a Liberal MPP can bring.

Leek says infrastructure, forestry and First Nation as the key issues.

Sarah Campbell says she's ready to make a name for herself in Kenora-Rainy River.

The NDP candidate is confident she can win over those who've long supported the retiring Howard Hampton.

Campbell sees affordability as the key election issue.

The Green candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding says she feels stronger and more informed than she did last Provincial election.

Jo Jo Holiday says its time for someone to adequately represent the people of this Riding.

Holiday says health care, education and child poverty are all issues that need to be corrected.

Returning Office Opens

Fort Frances will be the main centre for the returning office for the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

It will open its 2nd Street East location this morning with former high school principal Ian Simpson as returning officer.

New Skilled Trade Program

(Teacher Bob Guertin accepts a Certificate of Recognition from Board Chair Mike Lewis)


Fort Frances High School is giving its students the tools needed to exceed in the trades.

Teacher Bob Guertin says a new Specialized High School Major allows students to earn a variety of credits at one time.

Guertin says the program will give students greater opportunity to acquire future certification in the trades.

New Student Trustee

Rainy River High School student Kailee Heyens will represent area students on the Rainy River District School Board for the next year.

Heyens was sworn-in as the board's student trustee at last night's meeting.

The grade 12 student is also vice-president of her school's student council.

Free Flower Giveway

Here's your change to spread a little goodwill today.

Brad Hogan, owner of Fort Floral in Fort Frances, will be giving out free roses as part of F-T-D's Good Neighbour Day with the stipulation you pass them on.

Three-thousand flowers will be given away on a first come first serve basis.

Race Relations Examined in Report

A recent Harvard graduate has released the findings of a research project looking at relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in the Rainy River district.

Jeff Denis, now an assistant professor at McMaster University, says despite the proximity of native and non-native communities, and the many relationships, racism and prejudice persists.

"One of the things that's very common is something called sub-typing," says Denis, "where people view individuals who violate stereotypes as exceptions that prove the rule. So they will say things like 'my best friend is native, but he's not your typical native,' or 'we have good Indians in this town.' The implication is that Indians elsewhere are not so good."

The report is based on 18-months of research that included interviews and surveys across the district.

College Students Return

Confederation College students will have to cross picket lines as they return to classes today.

The College's support staff are joined in province-wide labour action.

This is orientation week and President Jim Madder says enrollment numbers are similar to previous years.

"At least on par if not above par," says Madder. "We have a number of programs such as flight, nursing, concurrent disorders, these are programs that are absolutely full. There are other program though that if people are interested in coming they should make inquiries to our registration offices."

As many as one hundred students are expected at the Rainy River campus in Fort Frances with 70 of them first-year students.