Municipal Leaders Frustrated With Government

Area municipal leaders are frustrated.

They directed much of their angry at Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle during the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference.

President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Dave Canfield says government just not moving fast enough on northern issues such as the Ring of Fire development.

Municipal reps are also looking for a conversion of the generating station in Thunder Bay to proceed.

Northern Policy Institute Working To Include More Input

The Northern Policy Institute wants to give northerners more say into the decision making process at Queen's Park.

Chief Executive Officer Charles Cirtwell says they're trying to create an online community consultation tool that will gather public feedback on Provincial Government policies.

The independent think tank for northern Ontario was formed more than a year ago.

Routes Identified For Power Project

Several routes have been identified for a transmission line through Minnesota to draw power from Manitoba.

The first phase will see the line connect to the Iron Range area.

Minnesota Power's Joe Atkinson says they are getting close to determining a preferred route.

Some of the possible routes go through Koochiching County including one passing by Littlefork.

New Gold CEO Head World Committee

The Chief Executive Officer with New Gold has been selected to head the World Gold Council.

Randall Oliphant will take over from Ian Telfer, chair of Goldcorp.

The World Gold Council is the market development organization for the gold industry.

New Gold is in the process of taking over Rainy River Resources

Former Fort Frances Man Honoured

A former Fort Frances officer has been recognized for an act of bravery by the OPP.

Constable Mike Golding, who now works in Thunder Bay, helped find a woman with mental illness who had wandered away from her home in Kaministiqua in minus 20 degree temperatures.

Golding received the St. John Ambulance Award and the Commissioner's Letter in a ceremony recently in Thunder Bay.

First Nation Dispute Heads To Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Canada has decided to hear a Kenora First Nations appeal of an Ontario Court of Appeal's over land use decisions

The Wabauskang First Nation wants the federal court to determine whether Ontario has the authority to make land-use decisions in Treaty 3.

The band currently has a case against Rubicon Minerals.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the appeal sometime late next year.

Question Of The Week

Fort Frances council is being asked to set aside money in the 2014 budget  towards the demolition of the former Rainy Lake Hotel.

Should this be a priority for council next year?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

Minnesota A Good Place To Do Business

Minnesota is being eyed as one of the best States for Business.

Forbes Magazine ranks the Gopher State eighth, up 12 spots from its showing in 2012.

Forbes credits the strength of the Twin Cities to host several national corporations, Minnesota's school system, it's low poverty rate and the health of its population as benefits to business.

Virginia is ranked number one.

High School Test Results Revealed

Some good news for the Rainy River District School Board in the latest results from the standardized tests written by its high school students

86 per cent of grade 9 students met or exceeded provincial standard in the test for academic mathematics

Education Director Heather Campbell says that better the provincial average.

The board did see declines in the outcomes in applied math.

MNR Winding Down Operations

Operations at Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire bases are winding down.

The lack of fires has prompted the move.


Information Officer Heather Pridham says they still have the resources in place in case a fire does flare up.

There are no active blazes at this time.

Prescibed Burns Planned

MNR File photo

The Ministry of Natural Resources is planning to light today a couple of fires on purpose at the southern end of Lake of the Woods.

Prescribed burns are planned for Blaze and Queen Islands, both in the area of the Aulneau Peninsula.

The MNR says the goal to study how fire occurs and impacts the island's ecosystems.

Liberal MPP Wants Expanded Bear Hunt

A northwestern Ontario Liberal is looking to provide help to municipalities dealing with nuisance bears.

Thunder Bay's Bill Mauro has introduced a private members bill in the legislature calling for an expansion of the bear hunt in northern Ontario, even it means resurrecting the spring bear hunt.

Mauro believes since the spring hunt was cancelled, the number of human and bear interactions has gone up.

Northwest Conference In Thunder Bay

file photo

The annual Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference is underway in Thunder Bay.

It draws municipal leaders from across the region.

President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Dave Canfield says the conference will bring them up to speed on several issues.

Energy, mining and forestry are also top of mind.

Federal Minister of Science and Technology Greg Rickford and Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle are also scheduled to speak.

Power Project Discussed Today

Residents of Koochiching County will get an update today on a proposed new transmission line through Minnesota that will connect to Manitoba.

Minnesota Power is in the planning stages of a 500 kiloVolt line with potential routes identified through the County.

Power officials will talk about the projectduring a luncheon hosted by the International Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Changes To Liqour Laws Suggested

Some changes to Ontario's liquors laws may be on the horizon.

In an interview with CTV news, Premier Kathleen Wynne says any changes would be made to support the province's wine industry in particular.

She says it could include small wineries being allowed to sell at farmer's markets.

The Premier, though, rules out any changes allowing
beer and wine being sold in corner stores.

Former Fort Frances In Reality Contest

A new reality show set to air next March includes a former Fort Frances resident.

"The Search" features Marc McNay, now living in Dryden, along with hunting partner Denise Dubois, in a challenge to secure their own program.

McNay says it's been an amazing opportunity.

McNay says a Facebook site has been developed to follow their progress and to vote to help send them through.

Link here www.facebook.com/therealdealwithmarc.

North Left Out Of Travel Guide

The Liberal government is again being accused of ignoring northern Ontario when it comes to tourism.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is taking issue with the government latest marketing scheme.

Campbell says a new travel guide completely ignores the north.

Campbell says it also suggests contact local tourism information centres for more information, noting that the Liberals closed down the centres in her riding two years ago.

Natural Resources Minister David Oriazetti says government is committed to providing positive experiences and opportunities for everyone across the province.

Little Choice For County Residents

It appears resident of Koochiching County won't have much choice when it comes to searching for a health insurance provider through MNSure, the state’s new health insurance marketplace.

Only UCare Minnesota will be available when area residents begin registering October 1.

The County's Community Services Director Terry Murray says had some research been done, the State would have found UCare wouldn't have been preferred by most residents or health providers.


Commissioner Wade Pavleck feels they're being discriminated against given that other parts of the State will have up to five providers to select.

The County intends to voice its concerns in a letter to State officials and the Governor

Roof Repairs Approved

Koochiching County will go ahead replacing the roof at a former military complex, now owned by the County, this year.

County commissioners agreed at their meeting Tuesday to award a $64-thousand contract for the work at the former Koochiching Army Reserve Training Centre.

They were told last week the condition of the roof was becoming a safety concern.

The County uses the building primarily for storage.

MPP Resigns

A Liberal MPP has resigned.

Kim Craitor, who represented the Niagara Falls area, announced his decision to quit immediately to the Premier Tuesday.

It leaves the Liberals with 49 seats, compared with the Conservatives 37 and NDP 20

A by-election will likely be held in March.