College Upgrades in Doubt

2009-05-21

08:23:24

The presidents of Ontario's 24 colleges say plans for infrastructure projects could be scuttled if they don't get government funding soon.

Colleges Ontario chair Anne Sado says the window of opportunity is starting to close, and summer is the only time when construction can be undertaken.

The colleges are waiting on two billion dollars allocated by Ottawa for infrastructure projects at colleges and universities, as well as $780 million dollars the province has committed over two years for capital projects.

Guiterrez Family Still Seeking Answers

2009-05-21

08:22:30

The family of Elisa Gutierrez says they will likely have to wait until mid-June for a report into her death.

The 25-year-old Thunder Bay woman was found dead on Christmas Day in an office at a Philippines resort.

Officials in the Philippines claim Gutierrez had committed suicide, but her family doubts that finding and has been asking the Canadian government to review the Manila investigation.

Dryden City Worker Facing Charges

2009-05-21

07:58:36

An employee with the city of Dryden faces several charges after police there found several items belonging to the city's Public Works department at the man's home.

Exactly what was found was not revealed, but Dryden City Police say further charges are pending.

City officials are also investigating.

New Agreement with Province

2009-05-21

07:57:38

There's a new agreement with the province aimed at improving the quality of life for First Nation communities in Grand Council Treaty 3.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid and Grand Council Treaty 3 Grand Chief Diane Kelly signed the
bilateral agreement yesterday during the Grand Council Treaty 3 Spring Chiefs Assembly in
Naicatchewenin First Nation.

The agreement sets out a road map to address the socio-economic issues affecting the 28 communities within Treaty 3.

 It's include continued dialogue on First Nation education, children and youth issues and economic sustainability.

Social Housing Repairs

2009-05-21

07:56:54

There will be some significant repairs done to social housing units in the Rainy River district.

The provincial government is providing the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board almost a quarter-of-a-million dollars to make repairs to the nearly 480 units across the district.

The work will include roof, sidewalk and deck repairs as well as installing energy-efficient appliances, new elevators and furnaces.

Town Hall Meeting Tonight

2009-05-21

07:48:59

The forestry crisis will be the focus of a town hall meeting today hosted by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

Rafferty says the aim is to hear from people who have been impacted by mill closures or shutdowns.

"What I'm going to do is put them all together on a DVD and distribute it to politicians and city council," says Rafferty. "We need to make sure people understand what this forestry crisis is doing to northwestern Ontario."

The meeting takes place at La Place Rendez-vous beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Nursing Program a Success

2009-05-21

07:40:02

A program established to train new nurses locally will likely be continued, but just not this year.

In 2005, the province funded a four-year community-based pilot program which was delivered at several Confederation College campuses including Fort Frances.

It gave students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Lakehead University.

Campus Manager Anne Renaud says the program will be now evaluated before offered again.

"The great news is that we've just received accreditation for the program," says Renaud, "which is normally that it's done at the end of the program. It was a pilot, so we are going to be evaluating it in the next year and hoping to offer it again in 2010."

Five students enrolled in the program at the Fort Frances campus are expected to graduate next month.