2009-03-31
12:52:51
A planned tax harmonization in Ontario won't result in lower alcohol prices.
The merger of the eight per cent provincial tax with the G-S-T next year was expected to bring down taxes on alcohol, but the government says it will add new fees to make up the difference when the blended tax takes effect. A government spokeswoman says the fees on alcohol will ensure social responsibility.
2009-03-31
12:51:19
Saskatchewan's premier is leading a contingent of politicians visiting Ontario in an attempt to woo recent grads to the Prairie province. Premier Brad Wall is targeting university and college graduates, offering up to $20,000 in tuition rebates to move to Saskatchewan.
Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris says the government wants to show it's serious about recruiting workers because the province has more than 6,200 unfilled jobs. Wall attended a business community luncheon Tuesday and a job fair on Wednesday.
It's the second time in six months that politicians from Saskatchewan have brought their pitch to southern Ontario. In September, Wall targeted workers in Ontario's battered manufacturing sector.
2009-03-31
12:43:13
A new network of collection sites for electronic waste is being launched across Ontario in a bid to divert 160,000 tonnes of garbage over five years.
Starting Wednesday, companies that sell electronic products will pay a stewardship fee to have their goods recycled or reused. That fee may or may not be passed onto consumers. The fee will pay for 100 per cent of the cost of collection, transportation, processing, research and development, and public education programs.
The first phase of the disposal program will accept products like televisions, computers, mice, keyboards, monitors, printers and fax machines. A second phase will also collect the likes of cellphones and cameras.
2009-03-31
12:41:53
More than 53,500 Ontario public sector workers were paid over $100,000 last year, an increase of 11,500 over 2007.
Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending the big increase in the so-called sunshine list released by the Finance Ministry each year. McGuinty says it's only natural for the list to grow because of
inflation, but he admits the size of the premier's office keeps increasing.
2009-03-31
12:30:00
The Ontario government has released the salaries and benefits of Ontario Public Service and broader public sector employees who were paid 100-thousand dollars or more in 2008. The so-called Sunshine List includes a number of Fort Frances residents.
Among the highest paid in the Rainy River district is Riverside Health Care Facilities Chief Executive Officer Wayne Woods who earned a salary of over 245-thousand dollars last year. Riverside also reports ten other employees in the 100-thousand dollar income bracket, including four registered nurses.
The Rainy River District School Board also reports eleven employees hitting the magic number led by Education Director Jack McMaster at over 162-thousand dollars.
And just one town of Fort Frances employee on the province's list with Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig reporting an income of over 120-thousand dollars.
Here is a partial list of the public sector employees as identified by the Ministry of Finance.
2008 Salary Benefits
Legislative Assembly Howard Hampton, Leader, NDP..................$156,987.72 $284.82
Town of Fort Frances Mark McCaig, Chief Administrative Officer....$120,673.69 $305.04
Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell, Superintendent, Education.................................................................... $126,521.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board William Daley, Principal........... $103,509.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Paul Elliot, Teacher................ $142,978.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Jody Labossiere, Principal........ $100,064.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Gordon McCabe, Principal........ $112,675.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Jack McMaster, Director.......... $162,719.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Laura Mills, Superintendent, Business..................................................................... $130,058.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Penelope Newman, Principal.... $104,258.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Sylvia Parker, Effective School Leader...................................................................... $106,979.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board David Ian Simpson, Vice Principal................................................................... $101,843.00 $172.00
Rainy River District School Board Robert Casey Slack, Student Success Leader..................................................................... $114,707.00 $172.00
Northwest Catholic District School Board Alvin Cesiunas, Superintendent, Education................................................................. $126,223.40 $421.20
Northwest Catholic District School Board Teresa Dennis, Principal.................................................................. $103,726.61 $263.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board Darlene Fejos Rousseau, Principal.................................................................. $102,016.69 $263.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board Christopher Howarth, Superintendent, Business................................................................... $126,223.40 $421.20
Northwest Catholic District School Board Brendan Hyatt, Principal.................................................................. $103,726.66 $4,085.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary-Catherine Kelly, Director, Education................................................................. $173,906.93 $421.20
Northwest Catholic District School Board Mark Lugli, Principal................................................................... $101,181.20 $263.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board Jo-Ann Querel, School Effectiveness Leader..................................................................... $109,677.46 $263.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board Margot Saari, Principal................................................................... $103,726.61 $263.28
Northwest Catholic District School Board David Sharp, Assistant to the Director, Education.................................................................. $113,449.74 $4,261.14
Northwestern Health Unit William Limerick, Director, Environmental Health...................................................................... $115,819.75 $455.89
Northwestern Health Unit Valerie Mann, Director, Planning & Evaluation.................................................................. $110,530.45 $417.01
Northwestern Health Unit Mark Perrault, Chief Administrative Officer. ............................................................................... $111,542.54 $480.70
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Edith Bodnar, Rainycrest Administrator............................................................... $110,524.57 $704.39
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Debbie Canfield, Registered Nurse.........................................................................$102,926.84 $0.00
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Sheri Degagne, Registered Nurse.........................................................................$109,953.30 $0.00
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Soili Helppi, Rainycrest Administrator............................................................... $101,641.07 $579.35
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Andrew Lesko, Manager, Human Resources....................................................................$102,019.82 $654.82
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Lori Maki, Vice President, Clinical Services..................................................................... $143,465.52 $894.45
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Marna Martin, Registered Nurse.........................................................................$112,727.98 $461.83
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Tammy McNally, Nurse Manager..................................................................... $102,233.78 $596.71
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Susan Ossachuk, Manager Nursing Practice......................................................................$102,172.95 $630.61
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc. Donna Whalen, Registered Nurse......................................................................... $111,541.95 $469.41
Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc Wayne Woods, Chief Executive Officer........................................................................$245,417.38 $6,115.88
Family & Children's Services of the District of Rainy River Viktor Nowak, Executive Director.......................................................................$114,322.74 $11,113.29
2009-03-31
07:22:10
The economy is proving to be a challenge for the Salvation Army across northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. P.R. director for the division, Captain Les Marshall says demand for its services in the region has grown 20 per cent, but strong local support is helping them meet that need.
"We realize we aren't able to all the things that are needed by ourselves," says Marshall, "and so partnering with other community groups, organizations and companies it really makes our work so much easier."
Marshall says the agency has not considered offering Canadian ministries a similar grant being given to their U.S. counterparts, but is looking at other means of helping them cope.
2009-03-31
07:11:56
Today marks the official closures of the last remaining institutions for developmentally disabled people in Ontario.
The province and community living advocates say it's the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one of social inclusion.At one time there were 16 institutions in Ontario -- today the last two will shut their doors.
Since 1987 thousands of former residents have been moved into the community, into such settings as group homes.
When the last closures were announced in 2004 many families dug their heels in because the institutions were the only homes their loved ones had known. Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says families were afraid of the unknown.
She says now the province can move toward full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities into society.
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2009-03-31
06:56:54
A day-long strategic planning session lies ahead for member of the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition. They're sitting down Tuesday with representatives from a number of agencies, community leaders and members of the public.
Administrative Coordinator Grace Silander says it should lead to a five year plan.
"The actual priority setting exercise itself is geared to identify top priorities," says Silander. "So we will start focusing on the top priorities, however that doesn't mean the priorities that are small aren't going to identified and worked on as well."
Silander says during the course of the day, they'll review current programs and identify new ones the coalition can work on in the future.
2009-03-31
06:49:23
Don't put the shovels away just yet. Environment Canada says we could be dealing with yet another large winter storm.
Numerous warnings are in effect for parts of the Dakotas into Minnesota. Present indications are that most of the heavy snow will remain South of the border.
The areas which are likely to receive the highest amounts of snow will be over Thunder Bay and Superior west with near 15 centimeters likely by Wednesday morning. The remaining regions west of Lake Superior can expect 5 to 10 centimeters with 10 to 15 near the international border.
2009-03-31
06:47:21
A lack of orders has prompted AbitibiBowater in Fort Frances to extend a current shutdown of its operations.
Two paper machines - 5 and 7 - and the kraft mill will now remain idle until April 13 - extending a planned two week shutdown an extra week. The mill's paper machine number 6 will resume production May 3. The company had planned to resume production at that machine Sunday.
2009-03-31
06:42:32
The Fort Frances Power Corporation says it will take an active role in protecting the town's interests in the pending sale of AbitibiBowater's hydro-electric assets in Fort Frances.
AbitibiBowater has yet to finalize a deal with Brookfield Asset Management for the dam, along with other assets in Ontario. The Corporation's board chair Doug McCaig says if that offer moves ahead, the corporation will seek intervener status when the two sides seek a license amendment with the Ontario Energy Board.
McCaig adds that a call by a group of residents wanting the power corp. to purchase the Fort Frances dam is not a new concept, but one that is not as simple as being suggested. He says there are many complex issues that would have to be reviewed before any purchase can be considered.
2009-03-30
12:36:10
Unemployed workers in Minnesota will soon be receiving more unemployment insurance benefits.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says an extra 13 weeks of benefits will go to eligible residents who have exhausted both their regular U-I and Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits.
The extension could give qualifying Minnesotans up to 72 weeks of U-I benefits.
2009-03-30
12:35:08
Northwestern Ontario's business leaders are showing their support for last week's provincial budget. The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce says it offers some good support for the north.
President Barry Strieb cites announcements for roads, forestry and mining as positives for the region. He says they're now looking forward to working with the province on moving forward with the upcoming Grow North plan
2009-03-30
12:30:31
Despite its current problems, a British Columbia M-P believes forestry still has a role to play in the economy of northwestern Ontario. NDP member Pat Crowder was in Kenora on the weekend to promote her party's economic recovery plan.
Crowder says the Harper government simply hasn't done enough for forestry.
"We don't think the response has recognized the transition that the forestry community is in," says Crowder. "They put money into research and development, but research and development in itself won't solve problems."
"We need to take a look at research and development, support to workers, retraining in terms of different kinds of value-added in the forest sector."
Crowder says the NDP is consulting with Canadians about what they want to see in a recovery plan and will present that to the federal government in May.
2009-03-30
12:27:46
A group of citizens has formally made its request to the town of Fort Frances to consider purchasing AbitibiBowater's hydro-electric assets in the town.
In a letter to Mayor Roy Avis and the Fort Frances Power Corporation, the group believes the Power Corporation has the resources to make such a deal happen, and other financial partnerships could be secured as well.
It says keeping the dam in local hands would guarantee a continued future supply of power for the town while protecting existing jobs at the mill.
2009-03-30
08:51:49
There's a new deadline for AbitibiBowater to reach a debt restructuring deal with its creditors. Creditors now have until the end of Tuesday to exchange the $1.8 billion of debt of the company's Bowater unit. The previous deadline was last Friday.
2009-03-30
08:23:34
It was a gold performance for the Fort Frances Blades bantam girls team at a tournament on the weekend in Winnipeg. The Blades defeated Thunder Bay Fury 2-1 in overtime in the final of the Winnipeg Stars tournament.
2009-03-30
07:52:53
The Fort Frances Sabres have been pushed to the brink of elimination in their SIJHL playoffs series.
The Sabres dropped a 3-2 overtime decision at the Ice for Kids arena Sunday to fall 3-1 in their the best-of-seven series with the Thunder Bay Bearcats.
The Bearcats opened with a 1-0 first period lead on a goal by Fort Frances native Tyler Miller. Brendan Baumgartner tied the game with a powerplay marker six minutes into the second.
The Bearcats regained the lead a minute into the third with Brad Pawlowski scoring on the powerplay. Kyle Turgeon answered eight minutes later to tied the game once again.
The game would need an extra 14 minutes of overtime before Pawlowski scored his second of the game to give the Bearcats the win.
Saturday the Sabres won 3-1. Graham Dyck, Brendan Baumgartner and Mario Boivin scored for the home team. Chris Kitt scored the Bearcats only goal in the third period.
Game five will be played in Thunder Bay Tuesday night.
2009-03-30
07:27:42
Ontario led the country in cutting power consumption during Earth Hour. Province-wide, electricity usage dipped six per cent Saturday night.
Earth Hour is all about drawing attention to the global warming problem. But Lawrence Solomon, of Energy Probe, is critical -- saying Earth Hour tells people that conservation means sitting in the dark, ``doing without'' when it's really about using energy more wisely.
2009-03-30
07:26:19
The Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team has been given the go ahead to continue programming for at least another year.
Coordinator Hugh Dennis says an e-mail from a Ministry of Health Promotion staffer Friday confirmed that funding for the program had been made available in the province's recent budget. However, exactly how much money provided is not clear.
Current annual funding of about 100-thousand dollars was to run out tomorrow.
2009-03-30
07:22:02
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he's got no response from federal Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt for a national forestry summit.
In the House of Commons Friday, Rafferty said prolonged shutdowns by AbitibiBowater in Thunder Bay and Fort France show why such a summit is needed.
"The forestry industry continues to struggle under the weight of the economic crisis and the government's indifference to the industry, communities and families that have been suffering massive losses for a number of years," said Rafferty.
"Such a summit was called for by the finance committee, the natural resources committee, industry, labour and now the opposition. Everyone knows this must happen and the callous indifference of the government is becoming more apparent by the day."
Rafferty first asked Raitt three weeks ago to convene a summit.
2009-03-30
07:20:09
An announcements regarding AbitibiBowater's financial situation could come as Monday morning.
Last Friday's deadline passed without indication that the forestry company had been able to reach a restructuring deal with its creditors. AbitibiBowater officials have so far not commented, other to say Friday that negotiations were continuing.
2009-03-27
12:48:53
It will be some time before the city of International Falls knows if its lobbying efforts at the state capital Thursday were effective. City Administrator Rod Otterness joined hundreds of municipal representatives across Minnesota in St. Paul in trying to convince lawmakers of the important of the sustained local government aid.
"It certainly isn't certain how this story is going to end," said Otterness Friday, "but we do believe we got our message across about the importance of the work local government does every day."
The city is trying grapple with a loss of $222 thousand in local government aid from 2008. Otterness says they are looking at delaying some capital projects as a result. Otterness says they may not know if they were effective they were in St. Paul until the state finalizes its budget in May.
2009-03-27
12:43:16
The Fort Frances Muskies have ended their run in this year's OFSSA boy's hockey championship in North Bay Friday morning with a 4-4 draw against Toronto's Senator O'Connor College School. The Muskies looked headed towards their second win of the tournament before giving up the tying goal in the final minute of play.
Zach McCool led the Muskies offense with a pair of goals. Tyler Jorgenson and Blake Wepruk added singles. The Muskies end the tournament with a 1-2-1 record in pool play.
2009-03-27
12:38:38
Ontario and Canadian flags purchased for Ontario's politicians must now be made in Canada and preferably in the province.
Speaker Steve Peters issued the directive after several opposition members expressed anger with the procurement office's move to buy Ontario flags from China. The flags from the Chinese company cost 5-dollars cheaper than those made in Ontario.
But the NDP called the decision to outsource the flags shameful, embarrassing and pathetic.
2009-03-27
12:35:34
Shares of AbitibiBowater rose today as the newsprint maker continues to seek a debt restructuring plan with its debt holders.
A deadline to reach a deal was moved to Friday at 4:00 pm CST, but reports suggest the discussions were making progress. At the noon hour trading, shares prices for AbitibiBowater were up 22 per cent from the previous day's market close.
2009-03-27
12:34:13
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he may have to delay next year's planned minimum wage hike.
McGuinty says this year's increase to $9.75 an hour from $9.50 will go ahead as planned on Wednesday. But he says next year's rise to 10-dollars an hour may have to be put off, depending on the state of the economy.
2009-03-27
12:29:05
Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says the provincial budget contains a number of good news announcements for northwestern Ontario.
The Liberal M.P.P. for Thunder Bay-Superior North says it includes a commitment to increase funding to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.
"The increase in the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund from $70 million to $80 million is very positive news," says Gravelle. "The heritage fund is the key economic development fund for northern Ontario and it create jobs and stimulates the economy."
Gravelle says there is also a $92 million dollar increase to the northern Ontario highways program to over $650 million. He expect to reveal details of where that money will be spent in the very near future.
2009-03-27
12:26:14
Opposition members at Queen's Park aren't very happy with the provincial budget.
Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says yesterday's budget isn't going to help ordinary Ontarians. Hampton says there seems to be a lot of window dressing, but not a lot of help for communities struggling with job losses.
"If you take out the money the province has to spend every year on infrastructure just to fill the pot holes on the highways, and make sure hospitals and schools roofs don't leak, there's not an incredible amount of new money for infrastructure here," says Hampton.
Hampton adds harmonizing the provincial sales tax and the Goods and Services Tax will make life more expensive.
2009-03-27
08:27:26
Half of the workforce at C-B-C Radio in Thunder Bay are facing layoffs. The elimination of six employees are part of 800 being cut by the public broadcaster across the country.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty calls the cuts unnecessary and places blame on the Harper Government.
"Harper is more than happy to run a $70 billion deficit over the next two years," argues Rafferty, "yet he doesn't think it makes sense to offer the CBC a repayable loan of $60 million to protect local jobs and services."
2009-03-27
07:50:37
The education director with the Rainy River District School Board says it has been as open as it can be with a Fort Frances resident who's asking the Education Minister Kathleen Wynne to launch an investigation.
Jack McMaster says David Kircher has every right to ask for the probe, but feels the board has complied with Kircher's many requests for information.
"When the question is posed, and we feel there is a legal entity,we have sought legal advice and have provided the best answers we could," says McMaster.
"I know he was looking for some personnel information," McMaster adds, "that we just could not give him."
Last week, Kircher set up an on-line petition calling for the investigation.
A number of local residents have signed that petition.
2009-03-27
07:28:13
Flooding has forced the partial closure of Frog Creek Road in the township of Alberton.
The closure is from Hill Road - east for two kilometers.
There is no word how long the road will be closed.
2009-03-27
07:20:10
Boise Inc. officials in the United States are watching the situation with AbitibiBowater very closely.
Vice president of Minnesota operations Terry Ward says Boise's International Falls paper mill could get by if AbitibiBowater suddenly halted operations across the Rainy River in Fort Frances.
The mill currently receives about 250 tons of pulp daily from Fort Frances. Ward says if those shipments were to suddenly cease, they would look to having pulp shipped from a Boise-owned mill in Washington State.
But Ward worries what the impact a potential closure of the Fort Frances mill could have on the northern Minnesota city. He says many city businesses that benefit from their Canadian neighbours now would be hurt financially.
2009-03-27
07:17:55
A published report suggests AbitibiBowater is making progress on its ability to have a debt restructuring plan accepted by U-S banks. The forest company was given another extension until 400 p-m CST today to come to an agreement.
The New York times reports Citibank, one of the banks that balked at the original plan, may be prepared to accept the company latest offering.
2009-03-27
07:10:23
The provincial government has some assistance for the ailing forestry sector in its new budget.
Some 58-million dollars are being provided to extend the Northern Pulp and Paper Mill Electricity Transition Program by one year. That will provide electricity rebates of 1-point-8 cents per kilowatt-hour to qualifying mills.
A reduction to white birch and poplar stumpage fees will also be extended another year. The province will also review how wood can be utilize more in construction and infrastructure projects.
2009-03-27
07:09:12
There is a smattering of programs in Ontario's budget aimed at shoring up northern Ontario's crucial sectors.
Almost 650 million dollars will go into highway projects over the next year.
First Nation Communities will get assistance to boost economic development opportunities and 40-million dollars from the new blended sales tax will go to destination marketing in new tourism regions.
2009-03-27
2009-03-27
The centrepiece of the budget is a tax reform package that cuts income tax and introduces a combined federal-provincial sales tax.
Starting in July 2010, the provincial sales tax will be harmonized with the G-S-T in a move Duncan says will help make Ontario businesses more competitive. Taxpayers will get special transition payments of up to $1,000 to offset the combine tax which will apply to programs and services that were not subject to P-S-T prior.
2009-03-27
06:54:06
Ontario unveiled its a recession-fighting budget Thursday. The highlight is a move to a single sales tax, one-thousand dollar payments to most households and cuts to income and corporate taxes.
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says Ontario is in the middle of a global financial storm. The budget includes a deficit that will will hit almost 57-billion dollars by 2015.
2009-03-26
18:28:46
The Fort Frances Muskies earned their first first win at the OFSSA boy's hockey championship in North Bay Thursday afternoon with a 5-4 decision over Central Algoma of Desbarets.
The Muskies held period leads of 2-1 and 5-1. Matt Depiero's goal with 19 seconds remaining in the second would prove to be the winner. Central Algoma scored three times by the middle of the third to draw close. Taylor Jorgenson, Ryan Shortreed, Kyle Kerr and Jamie Kaun also scored for the Muskies.
It was the Muskies second game of the day. In a morning game, the Muskies dropped a 3-1 decision to St. Marcellinus of Mississauga which officially knocked them out of playoff contention. Taylor Jorgenson broke a scoreless tie with 31 seconds remaining in the second period, but the 5th ranked Mississauga squad roared back with three unanswered goals in the final frame for the win.
The 1-and-2 Muskies will wrap up play Friday morning at 9:15 am CST against Senator O'Connor.
2009-03-26
08:58:29
The Fort Frances Muskies face another tough opponent in 5th ranked St. Marcellinus of Mississauga this morning at the OFSSA boys hockey championship in North Bay.
Yesterday, the Muskies gave up a goal with 26 second left in the third to fall 2-1 to Upper Canada College in their opener.
Zack McCool was the Muskies lone goal scorer.
This morning's game is a 9 central time.
The Muskies also play this afternoon at 3:15 pm CST with a game against Central Algoma of Desbarets.
2009-03-26
06:53:20
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty hopes to learn more today on the impact of cuts to the CBC will have on northwestern Ontario.
Wednesday, the public broadcaster announced plans to cut 800 jobs across Canada and reduce local programming.
Rafferty says what the means to the radio stations in Thunder Bay and Sudbury is still uncertain, but worries it could lead to operations being combined to one location which he says would be a disservice to the northwest.
The federal NDP critic for the CBC says the changes being made by the public broadcaster might be a good reason to have a public debate on the future of the corporation.
2009-03-26
06:51:07
The Housing Redevelopment Authority of International Falls will receive almost 125-thousand dollars in federal funding.
The low-income housing help is part of a 6-million dollar package for northeastern Minnesota from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The money is intended to help the authority build or renovate low-income housing units.
2009-03-26
06:44:24
It's lobby day for the city of International Falls.
Administrator Rod Otterness is taking the city's concerns over cuts to municipal aid programs to the state's house and senate representatives.
Otterness says governor Tim Pawlenty is treating the city unfairly.
He says their calculations show that several more urban Minnesota cities are losing a 1/10th of the amount of state aid per capita that International Falls is being asked to give up in the governor's proposed budget
The city also disputes the governor's claim that the reduction in L-G-A is only about 5 per cent.
Otterness says they're figure show a 9 per cent cut for this year and a whopping 31-per cent state aid cuts in 2010.
2009-03-26
06:43:09
Several elements of today's Ontario budget have already been leaked, including a 27-point-5 billion dollar infrastructure program.
Transportation projects will get the lion's share of that money.
The province is also earmarking money for hospital and school upgrades.
The budget will also outline an 18-billion dollar deficit over two years to help pay for stimulus measures.
2009-03-26
06:41:44
It's budget day in Ontario and to soften the blow, the budget will include a one-thousand dollar goodie for families earning less than 160-thousand dollars a year.
The money will help families cope with a single, 13-per cent sales tax that combines the provincial sales tax and the G-S-T.
Sources say the merger won't kick in for at least several months and when it does, the one-thousand dollars will be paid out in three installments.
2009-03-17
13:16:47
ARMED ROBBERY
Authorities in the International Falls area are searching for a lone male suspect in connection with an armed robbery at the Rainy Lake One Stop.The incident occurred Saturday evening around 9 o'clock.The Koochiching Sheriff's Office says a white male wearing a black ski walked into the store on Highway 11, showed the clerk a gun in the waist band of his pans and ordered to show him the safe.He made off with an undisclosed amount of money.The suspect was also wearing a red "Stearns" type jacket, blue jeans and athletic shoes.He's described as being 5-foot 11-inches - weighing 165 pounds.
2009-03-17
10:19:20
DERAILMENT
C-N Rail crews continue the clean-up today of a train derailment in the Rainy west of Emo.About eleven cars containing grain left the tracks around the noon hour yesterday in the area of Rainy River First Nation.
No one was injured, but a C-N official says the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
