Members of the Couchiching First Nations have brought down a toll booth on Highway 11.
Band members removed the booth last night at about 9 o'clock.
They opened it May 21st, charging one-dollar per vehicle to raise awareness about a highway land claim.
The band also called for funds to relocate six families living on what the band claims is contaminated soil from a former sawmill.
A band spokesperson says the reason for the removal of the toll booth will be explained in a statement later today.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cancer Care Ontario Report Released
Cancer Care Ontario says residents in northwestern Ontario are living a lifestyle that poses a cancer risk.
The number of smokers and persons overweight are higher than the provincial average.
Michael Power of the Regional Cancer Centre says just cutting down on smoking would help reduce those rates.
"If we we're just simply to pull back to the provincial average of about 18 per cent of residents in the region smoking as opposed to 23 per cent, that five per cent gain would cut our lung cancer numbers in half," says Power.
The report card also shows the Regional Centre in Thunder Bay doing a good job in cancer radiation treatment.
Cancer Survivor Promotes Relay for Life
A young cancer survivor is encouraging people to support Relay for Life.
Madisyn Degagne is heading up a team for the Fort Frances event.
She says it's important for her give back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Experiencing cancer first hand and the overwhelming support of the community here in Fort Frances, I just really wanted to make an effort to give back," says Degagne, "because so many people have been affected by cancer."
Degagne's team includes several of her friends that make the team Pink Attitoode - Second Generation for the June 25 event.
Madisyn Degagne is heading up a team for the Fort Frances event.
She says it's important for her give back to the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Experiencing cancer first hand and the overwhelming support of the community here in Fort Frances, I just really wanted to make an effort to give back," says Degagne, "because so many people have been affected by cancer."
Degagne's team includes several of her friends that make the team Pink Attitoode - Second Generation for the June 25 event.
Local Physicians Week - Part 2
We continue our series on the doctor situation in Fort Frances.
Local officials say another four physicians are needed.
Doctor Robert Algie says a provincial moratorium on new doctors twenty years ago is partially to blame.
"With the growth of population, the loss of those 10 per cent of physicians over the years on a yearly basis," says Dr. Algie, "and the increased complexity of providing primary care. We're dealing with sicker people in our offices. People who used to die of heart disease are now living and living with cognitive heart failure. Diabetes is also increasing. There's a large increase load and the number of family physicians they used to feel is appropriate is just not adequate."
Algie says the shortage is being felt the greatest at Riverside Health Care Facilities who are forced to bring in locums to staff the emergency room.
"The emergency department is struggling to stay open on a week-by-week basis. Local family physicians who are still involving, which is only five of us, are doing their best to provide time to the emergency department, but to take care of sick patients in hospital and try to be available to their patients in the community at the clinic. About one-third of all emergency medicine shifts are being provided by physicians who travel from outside the community to provide care."
Tomorrow, Dr. Algie looks at local efforts to attract new physicians.
Local officials say another four physicians are needed.
Doctor Robert Algie says a provincial moratorium on new doctors twenty years ago is partially to blame.
"With the growth of population, the loss of those 10 per cent of physicians over the years on a yearly basis," says Dr. Algie, "and the increased complexity of providing primary care. We're dealing with sicker people in our offices. People who used to die of heart disease are now living and living with cognitive heart failure. Diabetes is also increasing. There's a large increase load and the number of family physicians they used to feel is appropriate is just not adequate."
Algie says the shortage is being felt the greatest at Riverside Health Care Facilities who are forced to bring in locums to staff the emergency room.
"The emergency department is struggling to stay open on a week-by-week basis. Local family physicians who are still involving, which is only five of us, are doing their best to provide time to the emergency department, but to take care of sick patients in hospital and try to be available to their patients in the community at the clinic. About one-third of all emergency medicine shifts are being provided by physicians who travel from outside the community to provide care."
Tomorrow, Dr. Algie looks at local efforts to attract new physicians.
Library to Open Today
(Fort Frances Public Library Photo)The new Fort Frances Public Library will open its doors to the public for the first time today.
The technology Centre will also open, but staff say there will be limited services available.
A more official opening will be held June 21.
Detour Announced
There will be a traffic detour in Fort Frances' north end today.
A section of Fifth Street, east of Portage Avenue, will be shutdown beginning at 7 a.m.
The closure is to allow crews to work on a newly installed water main.
When complete, crews will then close a section on the east side of Fifth for similar work.
The Portage Avenue underpass will remain open to traffic during the work.
Young Men's Conference a Success
The first ever young men's conference is being hailed a success by organizers.
Nineteen students, most in grade 8, gathered at Quetico Provincial Park for three days last week.
Crossroad's School principal Gord McCabe says the focus differed from a conference held annual for girls of similar age.
"The young women's conference is geared towards a leadership theme," says McCabe. "With this program, what we wanted to do is to gear towards students who wouldn't normally get this type of opportunity."
Participants were involved in several outdoor adventures, along with planning and goal setting.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Spring Bear Hunt
There are renewed calls to bring back the spring bear hunt in Ontario.
Terry Quinney of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says the demise of the hunt ten years ago has resulted in big increases in the number of bears.
"To minimize the risk to people and maximize the benefits of this wildlife resource for Ontario society, the Ontario government needs to reinstate the spring bear hunt," says Quinney
Quinney says the province's so-called BearWise program has done little to control an expanding black bear population.
Contact North Getting Upgrade
Contact North is upgrading its facilities.
The distance education facility has been given $3.5 million in provincial funding to modernize it's video equipment.
CEO Maxim Jean-Louis says it will enhanced the delivery of services.
"In some cases we are going to introduce some of those leading edge video conferencing learning technologies that are going to make things that much better," says Jean-Louis.
Jean-Louis says the government helps Contact North with upgrades on a regular basis.
Mental Health Services Report
Mental health and addiction services are two topics being studied by a new provincial government group.
Committee member Sylvia Jones says they'll be bringing their report to various provincial ministries for their consideration.
"There was a number of concerns, both First Nations and rural, with prescription drug abuse," says Jones. "Oxycontin being one that comes to mind."
Jones says the remoteness of the communities consulted make it hard to provide mental health and addiction services.
Committee member Sylvia Jones says they'll be bringing their report to various provincial ministries for their consideration.
"There was a number of concerns, both First Nations and rural, with prescription drug abuse," says Jones. "Oxycontin being one that comes to mind."
Jones says the remoteness of the communities consulted make it hard to provide mental health and addiction services.
Couchiching Toll Booth Vote
There could be a vote coming in Couchiching First Nation on its toll booth on Highway 11.
A Thunder Bay newspaper is reporting today that Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson plans to let the community decide the fate of the toll following his meeting with provincial and federal ministries last week.
The toll has been in place since May 21st.
A Thunder Bay newspaper is reporting today that Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson plans to let the community decide the fate of the toll following his meeting with provincial and federal ministries last week.
The toll has been in place since May 21st.
Fire Still Burning at Quetico
It's eased elsewhere, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says the forest fire hazard still remains high in the Quetico Park area where three fires are still burning.
All three were started by lightning last week and are being observed by the MNR.
Meantime, the easing of the fire situation has allowed the MNR to send crews to northeastern Ontario to help fight wildfires there.
Cost of Dying in Ontario to Rise
A Conservative MPP says come July 1st it will cost more to die in Ontario.
Peter Shurman says families will have to pay up to 13-hundred dollars in taxes or remembrance services when the HST takes effect.
When the HST is implemented, remembrance service items will see an eight per cent tax hike.
Physicians' Apprection Week
It is Physicians Appreciation Week in Fort Frances.
As part of the week, B-93 will be examining the local doctor situation with Doctor Robert Algie who began his practice back in 1981.
"I grew up in northern Ontario in Sault Ste. Marie but my great-aunt and uncle, Jean and Tom Harrison lived in Fort Frances, so I was aware of the community and been here before," says Dr. Algie, "so I was aware of the community and been here before. There was some familiarity with the community so it was really a foreign concept to me. But I was looking for small town experience as I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the rest of my career so it was 'let's give small-town primary care practice a shot and see how it goes."
He says the reasons the brought him to Fort Frances are the same reasons he's stayed.
"The ongoing challenges in terms of practising in a small rural setting are still appealing to me. Being able to participate in emergency medicine, taking care of people in the community, in the home and in long-term care, that diversity is really appealing to me and continues to keep my interest. You can't practise it any better than you can in Fort Frances."
Tomorrow, Algie will talk about some of the reasons behind the doctor shortage impacting our communities.
As part of the week, B-93 will be examining the local doctor situation with Doctor Robert Algie who began his practice back in 1981.
"I grew up in northern Ontario in Sault Ste. Marie but my great-aunt and uncle, Jean and Tom Harrison lived in Fort Frances, so I was aware of the community and been here before," says Dr. Algie, "so I was aware of the community and been here before. There was some familiarity with the community so it was really a foreign concept to me. But I was looking for small town experience as I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the rest of my career so it was 'let's give small-town primary care practice a shot and see how it goes."
He says the reasons the brought him to Fort Frances are the same reasons he's stayed.
"The ongoing challenges in terms of practising in a small rural setting are still appealing to me. Being able to participate in emergency medicine, taking care of people in the community, in the home and in long-term care, that diversity is really appealing to me and continues to keep my interest. You can't practise it any better than you can in Fort Frances."
Tomorrow, Algie will talk about some of the reasons behind the doctor shortage impacting our communities.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Toll Latest - Friday May 28
The provincial government is calling its meeting with Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson productive.
The chief was in Toronto to meet with officials from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs over a land claim issue impacting Highway 11 - one of the issues that has led to a toll booth being set up by the band since last Friday.
Details of the talks were not released, but in an e-mail to B-93, a Ministry spokesperson says they were productive and that their discussions with the First Nation would continue.
McPherson also met with officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs last night regarding the contamination of certain lands.
Days after one site closed, a new Facebook site has appeared for people to discuss the toll booth.
Jason Supinski set up the site called "Don't Pay the Toll at Couch."
He says he'll be able to better control people's comments.
"You can't write comments, but you can add your name to it and support it," says Supinski. "If you send me a comment and I feel it's appropriate I will post it. That was the problem the OPP had with the other site is with the racial comments and the hate. Other than that they have no problem with it."
Supinski shut the other site down because of concerns with some of the postings.
He admits with nearly 800 members it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
The chief was in Toronto to meet with officials from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs over a land claim issue impacting Highway 11 - one of the issues that has led to a toll booth being set up by the band since last Friday.
Details of the talks were not released, but in an e-mail to B-93, a Ministry spokesperson says they were productive and that their discussions with the First Nation would continue.
McPherson also met with officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs last night regarding the contamination of certain lands.
Days after one site closed, a new Facebook site has appeared for people to discuss the toll booth.
Jason Supinski set up the site called "Don't Pay the Toll at Couch."
He says he'll be able to better control people's comments.
"You can't write comments, but you can add your name to it and support it," says Supinski. "If you send me a comment and I feel it's appropriate I will post it. That was the problem the OPP had with the other site is with the racial comments and the hate. Other than that they have no problem with it."
Supinski shut the other site down because of concerns with some of the postings.
He admits with nearly 800 members it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Crime Up in Fort Frances
(Left: OPP Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick addressing Fort Frances Town Council)OPP say they're beginning to see more assaults and property crimes occurring in Fort Frances.
Statistics for the first three months of 2010 show violent crimes up 15 per cent over last year while property crimes are up 40 per cent.
Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick says the public should not be alarmed as the advent of warm weather often leads to an increase of criminal activity.
Bill into Committee Level
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty's private members bill aimed at protecting workers' pensions is finally headed to the committee level for further debate.
The proposed bill passed a key vote this week.
"There were a dozen or so members on the Conservative side who also supported it," says Rafferty. "Unfortunately, Mr. (Greg) Rickford (PC Kenora MP) was not one of the them, but there was support among the Conservatives and I was pleased to see that."
Rafferty says he's not concern with the bill being watered down during discussions by members of the Industry Committee, noting he'd welcome amendments.
Forest Fire Hazard High
(Left: MNR file photo)Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews are trying to get a handle on a massive wildfire near Pikangikum First Nation north of Red Lake.
Two waterbombers and 15 FireRanger crews are battling the three-thousand-hectare blaze, 15 kilometres northeast of the community.
The blaze was started by lightning earlier in the week.
Meantime, the forest fire hazard is high in the Rainy River district.
The MNR reports six active fires, mainly located in the Quetico Park and Atikokan areas.
Young Women's Conference
More than fifty young women from the Rainy River district will gather this weekend at Luther Village near Kenora.
Jenna Baker, vice-principal at J.W. Walker School says girls in grades 7 to 12 will participate in the annual Young Women's Conference.
"The ultimate goal of the conference is to support young women with information and a positive view for a hopeful future," says Baker. "The conference itself provides information on the indicators of violence against young women and ways to support themselves and others in the future at the school level as well as in the community."
This is the conference's eleventh year.
Jenna Baker, vice-principal at J.W. Walker School says girls in grades 7 to 12 will participate in the annual Young Women's Conference.
"The ultimate goal of the conference is to support young women with information and a positive view for a hopeful future," says Baker. "The conference itself provides information on the indicators of violence against young women and ways to support themselves and others in the future at the school level as well as in the community."
This is the conference's eleventh year.
Toll Update for Thursday May 27
It looks like the toll road protest in Couchiching First Nation is finally catching the attention of government officials in Toronto and Ottawa.
Chief Chuck McPherson is in Toronto to discuss the band's concerns over contaminated land and a Highway 11 land claim - the reasons behind the toll.
He's expect to meet with officials from the department of Indian Affairs and was also planning to meet with Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley.
Successful negotiations could close the dollar-a-vehicle toll booth that was set up last Friday by the band near the Noden Causeway.
A Facebook site that provided an avenue for residents to discuss the controversial toll booth on Couchiching First Nation has apparently been shutdown.
The site had attract more than 700 members, but some of the postings were causing concern to both to band leaders and the OPP.
Provincial police confirm they did approach the local administrator about the site, who voluntarily shut it down late Tuesday.
Chief Chuck McPherson is in Toronto to discuss the band's concerns over contaminated land and a Highway 11 land claim - the reasons behind the toll.
He's expect to meet with officials from the department of Indian Affairs and was also planning to meet with Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley.
Successful negotiations could close the dollar-a-vehicle toll booth that was set up last Friday by the band near the Noden Causeway.
A Facebook site that provided an avenue for residents to discuss the controversial toll booth on Couchiching First Nation has apparently been shutdown.
The site had attract more than 700 members, but some of the postings were causing concern to both to band leaders and the OPP.
Provincial police confirm they did approach the local administrator about the site, who voluntarily shut it down late Tuesday.
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