Nishnawbe Aski Nation took its opposition to a bill seeking to map land in the Far North to the Ontario legislature to ask the government to scrap the plan.
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, along with several youth and other aboriginal leaders, says the bill infringes on First Nation treaty rights.
Beardy says the plan will give the government too much power to decide how to handle lands where First Nations live, and argues the consultation process is so rushed that it's not legitimate.
New Democrat Gilles Bisson says the government is ``mucking up''the process by leaving out the people most directly affected - just like with the Mining Act.
Bisson says even the industry agrees the process needs more time to clarify rules and avoid confrontations down the road.
The Ministry of Natural Resources insists there's still plenty of time to make changes to the bill - promises to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres in a network of conservation areas - noting the current round of consultations is just the beginning of a lengthy process.
Friday, August 7, 2009
10th Anniversary Celebrated
The Rainy Lake Conservancy will recognize its 10th anniversary this weekend.
The Conservancy will hold its annual meeting Sunday at La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 2 p.m.
Dale Callaghan, one of the founding members, says the group has been effective in its work to preserve and protect the Rainy Lake watershed during its time.
"We're involved in water testing," says Callaghan, "something we've been involved with since we started. We've promoted science and research on Rainy Lake. We have a board member on the Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust. We promote clean water and healthy shorelines."
Callaghan says the work they're doing now is all for the future of the area.
The meeting is open to the public.
The guest speaker will be Rachael Hill, district planner with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Conservancy will hold its annual meeting Sunday at La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 2 p.m.
Dale Callaghan, one of the founding members, says the group has been effective in its work to preserve and protect the Rainy Lake watershed during its time.
"We're involved in water testing," says Callaghan, "something we've been involved with since we started. We've promoted science and research on Rainy Lake. We have a board member on the Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust. We promote clean water and healthy shorelines."
Callaghan says the work they're doing now is all for the future of the area.
The meeting is open to the public.
The guest speaker will be Rachael Hill, district planner with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Canoe Race Returns
Quetico Provincial Park continues to celebrate its Centennial Anniversary with the return of the legendary Cross Quetico Canoe Race.
The 200-kilometre endurance challenge takes competitive paddlers over lakes, portages, rivers and creeks.
This year's race starts tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and is expected to end Sunday night at 6 .p.m.
The starting and end point is the Main Beach of French Lake at the Dawson Trail Campground.
About twenty teams from Minnesota and Ontario are scheduled to compete.
The 200-kilometre endurance challenge takes competitive paddlers over lakes, portages, rivers and creeks.
This year's race starts tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and is expected to end Sunday night at 6 .p.m.
The starting and end point is the Main Beach of French Lake at the Dawson Trail Campground.
About twenty teams from Minnesota and Ontario are scheduled to compete.
Nurses Appeal to Supreme Court
Some Ontario nurses are asking the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to sue the province over the SARS crisis.
In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the action.
But the Ontario Nurses' Association says that ruling leaves nurses at risk during outbreaks, like the current H1N1 flu pandemic.
In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the action.
But the Ontario Nurses' Association says that ruling leaves nurses at risk during outbreaks, like the current H1N1 flu pandemic.
H1N1 Spread Slows
The spread of the H1N1 virus seems to be waning in northwestern Ontario.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show no new cases of the virus in the region in the past week.
There are currently 70 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the northwest, but the symptoms are considered mild.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show no new cases of the virus in the region in the past week.
There are currently 70 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the northwest, but the symptoms are considered mild.
Housing Funds Announced
A number of First Nation communities in the Rainy River District will benefit from federal funding for new housing units.
A total of $14.4 million dollars will be shared by 84 native communities in Ontario.
Nicickousemenecaning, Big Grassy and Onigaming First Nations are among those to receive a portion of that money.
A total of $14.4 million dollars will be shared by 84 native communities in Ontario.
Nicickousemenecaning, Big Grassy and Onigaming First Nations are among those to receive a portion of that money.
Underpass Closure Extended
The closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances has been extended.
The roadway was to open at 4 p.m. today, but the town of Fort Frances says fears soft soils encountered during this week's excavation and the proximity of the water table could result in those soils turning to mud and making the area inaccessible if vehicles were allowed to pass through at this time.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the extended closure will allow the contractor to complete the installation of concrete along the west lane.
It's forecast that task will take about two weeks to complete and 7 days to let the concrete cure before traffic is permitted through the underpass.
The roadway was to open at 4 p.m. today, but the town of Fort Frances says fears soft soils encountered during this week's excavation and the proximity of the water table could result in those soils turning to mud and making the area inaccessible if vehicles were allowed to pass through at this time.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the extended closure will allow the contractor to complete the installation of concrete along the west lane.
It's forecast that task will take about two weeks to complete and 7 days to let the concrete cure before traffic is permitted through the underpass.
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