The Ontario Paramedic Association is asking the McGuinty government to grant the province's paramedics essential service status.
The association says it's a matter of public safety and security.
It says the designation would ensure paramedics would report to work regardless of any labour issues within the various municipalities.
Paramedics were classed as a public safety occupation at the federal Level in 2005 and the O-P-A wants the province to follow suit.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mining Compny Fined
The death of a worker has led to a $130 thousand fine against a mineral exploration company.
Conquest Resources hired an independent contractor in December 2007 to construct an ice road on Sturgeon Lake, 70 kilometres east of Sioux Lookout.
But when the man drove his plow onto the lake, it broke through the ice, and the man drowned.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found the worker hadn't been given accurate information about the thickness of the ice.
Conquest Resources hired an independent contractor in December 2007 to construct an ice road on Sturgeon Lake, 70 kilometres east of Sioux Lookout.
But when the man drove his plow onto the lake, it broke through the ice, and the man drowned.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found the worker hadn't been given accurate information about the thickness of the ice.
Body Found in Winnipeg River
OPP have found the body of a missing Winnipeg man near Minaki.
The body of 25-year-old Dave Christopher Pundyk was found Saturday afternoon in the Winnipeg River.
The man was thrown from a boat into the river after two boats travelling together collided on July 18th.
The body of 25-year-old Dave Christopher Pundyk was found Saturday afternoon in the Winnipeg River.
The man was thrown from a boat into the river after two boats travelling together collided on July 18th.
Illegal Baitfish Traps Found
(Photo courtesy Ministry of Natural Resources)The discovery of a number of illegal baitfish traps in the Dryden area has prompted the Ministry of Natural Resources to issue a warning.
The M-N-R says traps must be clearly labelled with the name of the user and must not exceed the maximum permitted size.
The Ministry says its also received several complaints of individuals selling baitfish without a licence.
New regulations are in place to protect rare and endangered species.
Emo Speedway Celebrates
Three of the original drivers who raced at Emo Speedway 55 years ago made a return Saturday to help celebrate the tracks anniversary.
Among them 91-year-old Raoul Cayer who won the track's first title in 1954.
"We got together with Russ Cruchaine," recalls Cayer, "Russ decided we should go into Winnipeg to buy a car. So we drove into Winnipeg and bought a car. Brought it back and fixed it up and started racing.
The track opened to stock car racing in July of 1954.
Lyle Busch was one of the original drivers who helped get racing going with Sid Asselin
"We brought Sid's car down here to the grandstand on Saturday afternoon," says Busch. "Run that thing around and pretty soon we had over a hundred people here."
Busch says that appearance eventually led to regular racing at the track.
The evening also featured photographs and articles of the track over its more than 5 decades.
Among them 91-year-old Raoul Cayer who won the track's first title in 1954.
"We got together with Russ Cruchaine," recalls Cayer, "Russ decided we should go into Winnipeg to buy a car. So we drove into Winnipeg and bought a car. Brought it back and fixed it up and started racing.
The track opened to stock car racing in July of 1954.
Lyle Busch was one of the original drivers who helped get racing going with Sid Asselin
"We brought Sid's car down here to the grandstand on Saturday afternoon," says Busch. "Run that thing around and pretty soon we had over a hundred people here."
Busch says that appearance eventually led to regular racing at the track.
The evening also featured photographs and articles of the track over its more than 5 decades.
Drivers go Hand-Free October 1
Ontario drivers have until October to go hands-free.
That's when the province's ban on the use of cellphones, BlackBerrys and other hand-held electronic devices by drivers will take effect.
Transportation Minister Jim Bradley says motorists can expect an education period, which means police will show some leniency when the ban first takes effect.
That's when the province's ban on the use of cellphones, BlackBerrys and other hand-held electronic devices by drivers will take effect.
Transportation Minister Jim Bradley says motorists can expect an education period, which means police will show some leniency when the ban first takes effect.
Health Officials Meet Today
Health officials from across the province are to meet in Windsor today for talks on Ontario's response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Chief medical officer of health Doctor Arlene King will discuss the H1N1 Influenza virus with health professionals from Ontario's 36 public health units.
The province's latest statistics show there have been about 39-hundred confirmed cases of H1N1 in Ontario, seventy in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.
Chief medical officer of health Doctor Arlene King will discuss the H1N1 Influenza virus with health professionals from Ontario's 36 public health units.
The province's latest statistics show there have been about 39-hundred confirmed cases of H1N1 in Ontario, seventy in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area.
More Help to B.C.
More firefighting reinforcements from Ontario have headed to British Columbia.
An additional 172 Ministry of Natural Resources personnel left for Kamloops yesterday.
They join the 122 who arrived in B.C. Friday.
That group is currently working out of Merritt, in the south-central interior of the province.
An additional 172 Ministry of Natural Resources personnel left for Kamloops yesterday.
They join the 122 who arrived in B.C. Friday.
That group is currently working out of Merritt, in the south-central interior of the province.
Portage Avenue Underpass Closure
A reminder to motorists, the Portage Avenue Underpass will be closed to traffic this week today to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and again Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pedestrian traffic will still be permitted.
Pedestrian traffic will still be permitted.
Fort Frances Town Council Tonight
Fort Frances town councillors will receive another update on construction projects when they meet for their regular meeting tonight at the Civic Centre.
Councillors will also consider the purchase of a new ice resurfacer for the Memorial Sports Centre.
A request from some residents on First Street East for trees in their area is also on the agenda.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 7:00 p.m.
Councillors will also consider the purchase of a new ice resurfacer for the Memorial Sports Centre.
A request from some residents on First Street East for trees in their area is also on the agenda.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 7:00 p.m.
Taxi hit Pedestrian
OPP are investigating an accident involving a taxi and a pedestrian.
It happened last Thursday night in front of the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances.
Police says the taxi struck a man who was on the road.
The unidentified man was taken to LaVerendrye Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the taxi was not injured.
It happened last Thursday night in front of the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances.
Police says the taxi struck a man who was on the road.
The unidentified man was taken to LaVerendrye Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the taxi was not injured.
Drug Bust near Fort Frances
OPP have made a major drug bust near Fort Frances.
Police seized over four pounds of marijuana, a substantial amount of cash and firearms from a home in LaVallee Township and another 100 marijuana plants from a property located north of Devlin.
The street value of the marijuana and plants is estimated at over 120-thousand dollars.
Owner of both proprieties, Brian McKinnon was charged with a variety of drug offences and will appear in court on September 8th.
Police seized over four pounds of marijuana, a substantial amount of cash and firearms from a home in LaVallee Township and another 100 marijuana plants from a property located north of Devlin.
The street value of the marijuana and plants is estimated at over 120-thousand dollars.
Owner of both proprieties, Brian McKinnon was charged with a variety of drug offences and will appear in court on September 8th.
FFCBC Hailed a Success
Organizers of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship are happy with how events went this year.
Chair Tom Fry says attendance was the only concern.
"We we're disappointed in the early going," says Fry. "You can't effect the weather. It's going to play a role. But last night (Friday night), we had a great turnout for the AC/DC and the hypnotist. That kind of turned things around for us. This afternoon (Saturday) was unbelievable and the sun finally came out.
Fry says strong support from volunteers also contributed to the tournament's success.
Thrun/Moynagh - 5-time Champions
(Joe Thrun (far left) and Jim Moynagh on stage at Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship)A 20-pound bag of bass on the final day of fishing allowed Minnesota anglers Joe Thrun and Jim Moynagh to keep the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship crown for a third consecutive year.
It also their fifth title in the tournament's 15-year history.
Thrun was at a loss to explain their dominance.
"The lake's been good to us," says Thrun. "We just come out here and fish really hard and good lord willing we come out on top. We don't have any excuses or reasons why. We just fish hard and its works out."
Teammate Jim Moynagh says staying the area that they pre-fished was key.
"We practised in there and really didn't do that well," says Moynagh. "There was a little bit of activity and we thought maybe we'll start there anyway. So the decisions we made, starting with that, we made the right decisions."
Thrun and Moynagh's three day-total of 57.76 pounds was eight pounds more than second place finishers Lauren Ras and Chuck Olson of Bemidji.
The top team to finish from the Rainy River district was Chad and Mike Hanson of Fort Frances in 5th.
Dorian Lindholm of Fort Frances and Bill Wilcox of Burleson, Texas had the biggest fish of the tournament at 5.26 pounds. It was the biggest fish caught at the tournament since 2007.
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