Last week's Take Back the Night March in Fort Frances has become part of a world record.
The more than 80 people who participated in Friday night's march were among more than 173-million people who gathered at more than 3-thousand similar marches held around the world last week, becoming the largest mobilization of human beings in recorded history.
The local event, organized by high school students at Fort Frances and Atikokan, was an effort to speak out against violence, domestic assault and abuse in the district.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Mining Act Changes Approved
Changes to Ontario's Mining Act aimed at addressing conflicts between prospectors and private landowners have been approved by the legislature.
Mines Minister Michael Gravelle announced the changes in April, saying the legislation would modernize the way companies stake claims so they are more respectful of landowners and the environment.
The act will also make Ontario the first province to recognize aboriginal and treaty rights in its Mining Act, and to include a dispute-resolution process for First Nations issues.
Mines Minister Michael Gravelle announced the changes in April, saying the legislation would modernize the way companies stake claims so they are more respectful of landowners and the environment.
The act will also make Ontario the first province to recognize aboriginal and treaty rights in its Mining Act, and to include a dispute-resolution process for First Nations issues.
Agreement Signed with Mantoba
A memorandum of understanding has been signed that will further improve relations between the Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty Three and the Province of Manitoba.
The signing was done during Grand Council of Treaty Three's fall assembly in Grassy Narrows.
The agreement outlines areas of discussion on such things as health services, natural resource management and land-use planning with an emphasis on joint stewardship of sacred sites.
Chief Diane Kelly called the signing historic and builds on their efforts to create more pragmatic agendas in partnership with other governments.
The grand council includes 28 First Nations, two of which are located in Manitoba
The signing was done during Grand Council of Treaty Three's fall assembly in Grassy Narrows.
The agreement outlines areas of discussion on such things as health services, natural resource management and land-use planning with an emphasis on joint stewardship of sacred sites.
Chief Diane Kelly called the signing historic and builds on their efforts to create more pragmatic agendas in partnership with other governments.
The grand council includes 28 First Nations, two of which are located in Manitoba
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Approved
Canadians can soon start rolling up their sleeves for their H1N1 flu shots.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says the vaccine has been approved for use in Canada.
Even though clinical trials are still under way in this country, Canadian authorities are relying on data from European clinical trials to give the vaccine the green light.
Provinces and territories already have two million doses.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says Ontario will start rolling out its pandemic vaccines ahead of schedule next week.
She says clinics will be open a week early to give the swine flu shot to priority groups now that Ottawa has approved the vaccine.
But the H1N1 shot intended for pregnant women is not expected to be available for two more weeks.
Ontario health officials have said the vaccine will be offered first to adults with chronic conditions, health-care workers, people living in remote and isolated communities, pregnant women and children six months to five years of age.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says the vaccine has been approved for use in Canada.
Even though clinical trials are still under way in this country, Canadian authorities are relying on data from European clinical trials to give the vaccine the green light.
Provinces and territories already have two million doses.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says Ontario will start rolling out its pandemic vaccines ahead of schedule next week.
She says clinics will be open a week early to give the swine flu shot to priority groups now that Ottawa has approved the vaccine.
But the H1N1 shot intended for pregnant women is not expected to be available for two more weeks.
Ontario health officials have said the vaccine will be offered first to adults with chronic conditions, health-care workers, people living in remote and isolated communities, pregnant women and children six months to five years of age.
2010 Bass Tournament a Go
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is a go for 2010.
The tournament's board of directors agreed following a meeting Tuesday night to proceed with the planning of next year's tournament after filling two of four vacancies on the board.
Board chair Tom Fry says they'll be informing anglers of their decision very soon.
"The information will be going out within the next week to anglers," says Fry, "and there's going to be a deadline of November 30 for entries."
Fry says they're still looking for someone to serve as a co-chair which is key to a tournament happening in 2011.
"What we're concerned about is being in the same position next year. I don't want to be in the position of being the one who says I resign and this thing is done. That's were I find myself right now. Moving forward I want to have someone in place who will take it on for the following year and work along side me (this year)."
The tournament's board of directors agreed following a meeting Tuesday night to proceed with the planning of next year's tournament after filling two of four vacancies on the board.
Board chair Tom Fry says they'll be informing anglers of their decision very soon.
"The information will be going out within the next week to anglers," says Fry, "and there's going to be a deadline of November 30 for entries."
Fry says they're still looking for someone to serve as a co-chair which is key to a tournament happening in 2011.
"What we're concerned about is being in the same position next year. I don't want to be in the position of being the one who says I resign and this thing is done. That's were I find myself right now. Moving forward I want to have someone in place who will take it on for the following year and work along side me (this year)."
Chili Cook-off Today
Some of the best chili cookers in the Rainy River district will gather today at the Fort Frances Legion.
About a dozen teams have entered this year's Chili Cook off sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber manager Anthony Mason says the public will get an opportunity to pick the best.
"They will get a number of sample containers so they can go to each team and taste their chili," says Mason. "Then they select the one they like the best."
Cost is $5 for a bowl of your favourite, or seven dollars for a sampling of them all.
The event goes from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
About a dozen teams have entered this year's Chili Cook off sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber manager Anthony Mason says the public will get an opportunity to pick the best.
"They will get a number of sample containers so they can go to each team and taste their chili," says Mason. "Then they select the one they like the best."
Cost is $5 for a bowl of your favourite, or seven dollars for a sampling of them all.
The event goes from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tuition Fees High in Ontario
Ontario is at the top of one education category -- the highest university tuition fees in the country.
A 2009 Statistics Canada report shows Ontario beat Nova Scotia with tuition averaging $59-hundred per student.
The report found undergraduate fees beat the national average by more than one thousand dollars.
A 2009 Statistics Canada report shows Ontario beat Nova Scotia with tuition averaging $59-hundred per student.
The report found undergraduate fees beat the national average by more than one thousand dollars.
Insurance Rate Legislation Proposed
Opposition Leader Tim Hudak wants the government to table legislation that would bring auto insurance rates down.
Hudak made the comment in the wake of reports that Ontario drivers could be in for double-digit insurance rate hikes.
But Premier McGuinty says auto insurance rates are still lower now than when the Liberal government was first elected in 2003.
Sewer Study Planned
Improving local road and the infrastructure continues to be a focus for the town of Fort Frances.
Councillor Paul Ryan says the town is about to begin a study that identifies areas where ground water is infiltrating the sewer system and cause increased pressure on the treatment plant.
"It's very important that we do this," says Ryan. "It should have been done years ago so we can develop a plan to where to go first and where to go second. Get the hot spots first."
The town also has a long-term plan in place to improve local roads.
Councillor Paul Ryan says the town is about to begin a study that identifies areas where ground water is infiltrating the sewer system and cause increased pressure on the treatment plant.
"It's very important that we do this," says Ryan. "It should have been done years ago so we can develop a plan to where to go first and where to go second. Get the hot spots first."
The town also has a long-term plan in place to improve local roads.
Forest Fire Season Nears an End
The forest fire season in northwestern Ontario is drawing to a close.
With no major threat of a serious forest fire, the Ministry of Natural Resources has started to wind down operations in Northwestern Ontario.
Information Officer Debbie MacLean says fire fighting resources have been reduced to winter levels.
"Season staff have finished their contracts," says MacLean, " and waterbombers and helicopters are no longer in use for the fire program. So it's mainly a scaling down of operations."
The official end to the forest fire season is October 31st.
With no major threat of a serious forest fire, the Ministry of Natural Resources has started to wind down operations in Northwestern Ontario.
Information Officer Debbie MacLean says fire fighting resources have been reduced to winter levels.
"Season staff have finished their contracts," says MacLean, " and waterbombers and helicopters are no longer in use for the fire program. So it's mainly a scaling down of operations."
The official end to the forest fire season is October 31st.
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