Mill Exhibit Opens

A recognition of the past.

A new exhibit about the mill in Fort Frances is now open at the Fort Frances Museum.

It's opening was intended to be a celebration of 100 years of operation, but curator Sherry George says last week's closure announced dampened that somewhat.

But George says it's still important to recognize the mill and the people who've worked there and helped shape Fort Frances over the past century.

George says while there were hard and bad times, the mill has enjoyed many good times which are showcased in the exhibit.

It will remain at the Museum until August.

Supreme Court Hears Logging-Rights Issue

Logging rights in the Whiskey Jack Forest near Grassy Narrows will be under the microscope today.

 

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about the legality of clear-cut logging around the First Nations community north of Kenora.

 

The band has long argued a forestry license issued for the area violates their Treaty rights.

Local Candidate Promoting Million Jobs Plan

The Kenora-Rainy River Conservative candidate is out promoting his party's 'Million Jobs' plan.

 

Randy Nickle says there's great potential for northwestern Ontario and believes helping the mining sector is the place to start.

 

Nickle says controlling energy prices will also help attract new business to the north.

NDP MPP Supports New Cabinet Post

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is supporting her party's plan to create a new cabinet position aimed at helping the province find savings.

 

Campbell says a Minister of Savings and Accountability is an important step towards restoring trust in government.

 

Among its goals is to find savings that equal 0.5 % of the budget on an annual basis.

Greens Promoting Their Platform

The Green party is out with its platform for the 2014 Ontario election.

One of the highlights is spending $4-billion over four years on energy retrofit credits.

Kenora-Rainy River candidate Tim McKillop says energy needs in the north must be addressed.

McKillop adds investing in solar panels will help save northern communities money and eliminate the need of diesel generators.

Leaders Thursday

On the provincial election campaign trail today, Premier Kathleen Wynne campaigns in Walkerton and Waterloo.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath has several media events scheduled in the Toronto area.

PC leader Tim Hudak is travelling around the London and Guelph regions.

I Am Awesome Registration

Registration for the "I Am Awesome" girls retreat is now open.

 

The first 75 girls to register through its website will be eligible to attend the event, this year taking place at Sunny Cove Camp near Fort Frances.

 

Director Renee Martin-Brown says their win in the Aviva Community Fund contest earlier this year has allowed them to for go registration cost, but there is still a fundraising component.

 

A number of art-based workshops will be held aimed at building self-esteem and confidence among the young girls.

 

The camp takes place this September.

Music Of Don Messer Rings Out In Fort Frances

A bit of Don Messer tonight in Fort Frances.

Award-winning Canadian fiddler Scott Woods plays at Knox United Church to help it raise money for its capital improvement project.

Woods says he's happy to lend a hand.

Woods says people attending the show will hear him perform many of the songs Don Messer did on his television show which air for many years on the CBC.

Tickets are still available at Fort Frances General Supply and Brockies Jewellers.

Million Jobs Plan Outlined

The full extent of the PC's million jobs plan has been unvieled.

 

It contains 31 action items aimed at reaching the goal of one million jobs over the next eight years.

 

Leader Tim Hudak says it includes measures that strengthen northern Ontario's economy.

 

Hudak is also proposing to increase free trade opportunities, both with other countries and other provinces.

Unions Speaking Out Against Tory Job Cut Plans

Unions representing Ontario's civil service continue to attack the Tory's plan to cut 100-thousand public sector jobs.

 

The Ontario Federation of Labour says the move would push Ontario's unemployment rate to nearly 10 per cent and drive the province into a recession.

 

The OFL also claims the cuts are part of a broader Conservative plan to turn the province into a low-wage Ontario economy.

New Cabinet Post Promised

The NDP is proposing to create a new cabinet post.

Leader Andrea Horwarth wants to establish a Minister responsible for Savings and Accountability to help the province find additional savings.

Horwath says the goal would to find savings equal to half-a-per cent of Ontario's budget annually.

Campaign For Higher Minimum Wage Continues

Students rallied at Queen's Park Wednesday in a call for a $14.00 an hour minimum wage in Ontario.

 

The wage goes to $11.00 June 1, but students under the age of 18 will only see their wages rise to $10.30.

 

Spokesperson with the group Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage, Denise Martins, says young workers are frustrated with their prospects and want decent wages and the same opportunities for good jobs as others.

New Federal Election Rules

Election Canada is doing away with a rule that has prevented some Canadians living outside the country from voting in federal elections.

 

This after an Ontario court earlier this month struck down certain provisions of the Elections Act which had restricted Canadians who lived abroad for five years or more.

 

Elections Canada says eligible residents will now be able to apply to be added to an international registry in order to vote by special ballot.

Minnesota Roads Need Repairs

Minnesota lawmakers are considering bonds to pay for road repairs and other infrastructure needs.

Critics say that’s basically a band-aid.

Jennifer Munt with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, aging infrastructure is turning Minnesota into the land of 10,000 potholes.

Munt says instead of borrowing money for the repairs, the State needs to set aside specific, continuing revenue for the job.

Road Closure In Atikokan Area

A forest access road in the Atikokan area is closed because of a washout.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says a culvert failed on Premier Road at Kekush Creek, about 24 kilometres northeast of Sapawe.

The Ministry hopes to have the road reopened by the end of next week.

It, along with Rainy Lake Tribal Resource Management are monitoring other road conditions, but so far no other problems have been identified.

PCs Reveal Million Jobs Plan Background

Progressive Conservatives says two key agencies helped them come up with the Million Jobs plan being touted in the provincial election.

 

The party says it's derived from detailed economic models created by the Conference Board of Canada and a leading economist from the Fraser Institute.

 

In the first week of the campaign, leader Tim Hudak has unveiled plans to create nearly half those jobs.

Premier To Re-Introduce Failed Budget

File photo

Premier Kathleen Wynne is pledging to re-introduce the Liberal budget that failed to meet the opposition's expectations May 1st, prompting the spring election call.

 

Wynne made that pledge while speaking at the Bloomberg Economic Summit in Toronto.

 

Wynne also touts the Liberal plan as the only one that will continue to create an attractive business climate in the province.

Leaders Campaign Wednesday

In the provincial election campaign today, Premier Kathleen campaigns in Mississauga, Guelph and London.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath makes an announcement at Queen's Park before traveling to St. Catherines and Brantford.

PC Leader Tim Hudak is travelling around the Toronto area.

Budget Surplus Dollars Divided Up

In Minnesota, the House and Senate have agreed on how to divvy up more than $280-million in supplemental spending.

 

Health and Human services will get the bulk of the extra money resulting from the State's budget surplus - nearly $104 million.

 

54 million will go to education with another $22-million to higher education.

 

$15-million has been earmarked for transportation.

County Approves Taxing District

Koochiching County is giving final approval to a new taxing district to offset a million dollar loan to Littefork Medical Centre.

It would impact ratepayers now living within the 362 school district.

The money is for improvements hospital officials say are necessary.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck supports the idea, but would like to see some help for residents in the Big Falls area who now contribute to another hospital district.

Pavleck says it could include having Koochiching Development Authority provide the funding to rebate effected residents.