Industrial Accident at Mill

One person is dead following an industrial accident at the Boise mill in International Falls.

International Falls Police and Ambulance personnel were called to the mill at about 11 a.m. yesterday where a man was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.

Some reports suggest the man was outside contractor doing work in the lime recovery kiln.

His identify has not been released.

Town Seeks Financial Help for Airport

The town of Fort Frances is asking for some help from other municipalities within the Rainy River district to cover the operating costs of its airport.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says escalating costs over the past three years has forced them to make seek outside support.

"If this keeps going and these costs continue to rise, Fort Frances will not be able to fund this thing all by itself," says Weidenhoeft. "We need help funding this airport and we're looking to the district municipalities to help us out."

Wiedenhoeft feels the request is fair as the airport serves the needs of the entire district.

The town will make its pitch at an upcoming meeting of area mayors and reeves in Emo.

Recycling Upgrades Approved

Improvements to the town of Fort Frances' recycling depot are about to begin.

The town has approved a contract with Ed Kaun and Sons that includes setting up large bins for residents to drop off their materials for recycling.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says a $75-thousand grant from Waste Diversion Ontario will help cover cost of the work.

"The reason why we got the grant was to provide access and enhance the service to drop off blue boxes," says Brown. "If you go on vacation, you'd have a place to drop off your blue box materials into these bins."

Brown says the depot will not replace current curbside pick up.

More Election Candidates

Two Fort Frances councillors are among the latest to seek re-election this October.

Andrew Hallikas is hoping to continue the work started by the current council.

"Council worked very well together," says Hallikas. "I think in our term we accomplished a lot and I'm hoping everyone from council runs again. I like working with this group of people."

Ken Perry, who joined council mid-way through this term in a by-election, believes he brings a strong voice for residents to the council table.

"I like to do my research," says Perry. "I like to know what I'm talking about when I'm talking and make a decision that sometimes everyone doesn't agree with, but if anybody asks me why I did what I did or make the decision that I did, I've always a good reason for doing it."

Paul Ryan remains the only Fort Frances councillor yet to file nomination papers.

Elsewhere, Ross Donaldson has refiled for councillor in the township of LaVallee.

He joins incumbent Freeda Carmody and newcomer Harold Kellar on the October 10 ballot so far in that community.

Watershed Meeting Tonight

The management of Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watersheds will be the focus of meetings this week that begin tonight in International Falls.

Melanie Hanson, the Canadian co-chair to an international task force, says they'll be looking at issues effecting the waters and the efforts now being done to protect them.

"We'll be examining the current governance structures," says Hanson, "such as different boards, different committees and multi-agency arrangements. Any example where the two countries are working together to address water resource issues."

Tonight's meeting is at the AmericINN beginning at 7 p.m.

Portage Avenue Underpass Closing

The Portage Avenue underpass will be closed today.

Crews will be working to remove recycling asphalt from the intersection of Fifth Street and Portage beginning at 9 a.m.

The underpass will reopen by 3 p.m.

The intersection of Sixth Street and Portage will also be closed from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Meantime, paving of Portage is now set to begin next Wednesday.

School Opens

Classes resume today across the Rainy River district.

Heather Campbell, education director of the Rainy River District School Board, says for them, it means the opening of a new school and the hope for an increase in enrollment.

"I hoping to see that we still stay strong with our enrollment," says Campbell. "We offer so many great programs. We are really excited about our new facilities at Robert Moore and a new one to come in the Mine Centre area."

Director of Education for the Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary Catherine Kelly says there some new programs at their schools.

"Our early learning kindergarten program, we will be piloting that this year at St. Patrick's School in Atikokan," says Kelly. "We will also be running the full-day program in JK and SK at St. Joseph's School in Dryden."

Full day junior kindergarten is also being offered by public board at North Star Community School in Atikokan.

Layton Offers Long-Gun Registry Compromise

NDP leader Jack Layton is floating a last-minute compromise to save the long-gun registry.

Layton wants to introduce legislation that would address some of the complaints about the registry and potentially stave off a final vote on a private member's bill that would kill the program altogether.

The bill passed second reading last fall in a narrow vote that saw eight Liberals and 12 New Democrats, including Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty, siding with the Tories.

Driver ReTests Deadline Approaches

Wednesday is the deadline the Ontario government set for licence extensions because of the DriveTest strike last year.

People who needed to take driving tests to requalify for their licences were stuck when examiners walked off the job.

The examiners went back to work in early January but motorists were given until September 1st to book a test.

Medical School Talks Planned

There's a possible break in the dispute between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and support workers in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

The two sides have agreed to two days of talks with a Ministry of Labour mediator beginning Wednesday.

Clerical, technical and administrative staff walked out on August 16 after contract talks broke down.

Foundation Issues Bursaries

(Dorothy Gamie (l.) and Mical Collition receive their bursaries - photo from Riverside Foundation for Health Care)

Two students, currently working in the local health care system, are recipients of bursaries from the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

Mical Collition was awarded the James and Ena McAughren Bursary for the Continuing Education of Nurses.

Currently a RPN at La Verendrye Heath Centre, Collition is enrolled in Lakehead University's Bachelor of Science nursing program at Confederation College in Fort Frances.

Dorothy Gamie was awarded a five hundred dollar Riverside Health Care Bursary.

Gamie is a cook at Emo Health Centre and is enrolled in in the Food Service and Nutrition Management Program through the Canadian Healthcare Association.

Rickford's New Duties

Greg Rickford is getting some new parliamentary duties.

The Conservative MP for Kenora is taking over as the parliamentary secretary for Official Languages.

It's his first official post within the Harper cabinet.

Canadians Take I. Falls Bass Championship

A northwestern Ontario team has become the first two-time winner of the International Falls Bass Championship.

Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, along with his fishing partner Scott Dingwall of Dingwell, won this year's title by weighing in just over 30-pounds of bass over the weekend.

"It feels pretty good," says Gustafson. "It's so hard to win any of these big tournaments. We enjoy it and we're going to enjoy it until next year."

Gustafson and Dingwall won the inaugural tournament in 2005 by beating Travis Peterson and Scott Mattson of Bemidji who also finished second this year.

Here's exclusive video of their weigh-in on the final day of the championship.

Morson Bass International Winners

(Morson Bass International Photo)


Terry Gill of Morson and Chad Hansen of Fort Frances were reported as the winners of the Morson Bass International.

No weights were provided.

Conversion Set for 2012

Ontario Power Generation is looking at 2012 as a possible start of work to convert its coal-fired generating station to burn biomass fuel.

The province gave approval to the plan last week.

Station manager Ed Enge says they hope to use of as much of the existing infrastructure as possible.

"The conversion will leave the boiler and most of the infrastructure fairly well intact," says Enge, "but the coal receiving, handling and storage facilities will be abandoned. We will need new system for receiving wood pellets and storing them."

Enge says the project must also still be approved by OPG's board of directors.

Hydro Deal Reached

A strike in Ontario's electricity transmission sector that was set to begin today has been averted.

The Labourers' International Union of North America and the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association struck a deal late Friday.

The association represents the owners of Hydro One and other electricity system contractors.

More Names on the Ballot

Three more incumbents have entered the race in this October's civic elections.

Councillors Ken Perry and Andrew Hallikas will again seek new terms to Fort Frances town council.

Chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board Anne Marie Fitzgerald is running again as catholic trustee for the Fort Frances area.

King's Bay Adds New Claims

King's Bay Gold has optioned six unpatented mining claims in the Rainy River district.

They're located in Menary and Claxton townships, northwest of Emo.

King's Bay is currently conducting an gold exploration program in the area.

Test Results Revealed

Ontario students continue to make steady gains in reading, writing and math, but are still not meeting the provincial target for test scores.

That's according to the latest round of provincial testing, obtained by the Toronto Star in advance of their release this morning.

Overall, 68 per cent of students in Grades 3 and 6 are meeting the standards in reading, writing and math, but that's far from the provincial target of 75 per cent it hoped for in 2008.

WEEE Roundup Coming

Residents across the Rainy River district will get a chance to toss out all of that old electronic equipment in an environmentally safe way this month.

Ontario Electronic Stewardship will be hosting a collection day at the Fort Frances Public Works yard on September 18.

Executive Director Carol Hochu says its something they're doing across northwestern Ontario.

"There's good accessibility in the more major metro areas and big cities in Ontario," says Hochu, "but always a challenge in the north and in the more rural areas to get out there and get this stuff so we're doing bit of a northern Ontario sweep."

A list of all the items accepted can be found on the website http://www.dowhatyoucan.ca.

Conversion Approved

The Ontario government has approved the conversion of the Atikokan Generating Station to biomass fuel from coal.

It's also directing the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate an agreement with Ontario Power Generation to buy the biomass power generated.

It's also directing the Ontario Power Authority to negotiate an agreement with Ontario Power Generation to buy the biomass power generated.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the deal signals a bright new future for Atikokan.

The plant conversion will take three years and create up to 200 construction jobs

Blue Box Program Under Review

The blue box recycling program in Fort Frances and Atikokan will get a thorough review.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the study aims to come up with a strategy for both communities that will secure funding received from Waste Diversion Ontario.

"Right now we get a grant of $62-thousand to support picking up blue box and transporting it to our processor in Winnipeg," says Brown. "That would be reduced by 15 per cent if we don't have these strategies in place."

Brown says the public will have a chance to provide input with open houses planned in both communities later this year.

I. Falls Bass Championship Underway

The first day of fishing at the International Falls Bass Championship is underway.

More than 120 anglers are fishing either Rainy Lake or Rainy River for the $10-thousand first prize money.

Tournament chair Gary Potter says its uncertain how the weights will be this year.

"I guess that's yet to be determined," says Potter. "Any time you get before a tournament they're all pretty tight lipped, but I did talk with a couple of friends who are fishing who say the fishing has been pretty good."

Today's weigh-ins at Smokey Bear Park go at 3 p.m.

John Cann and Ted Olsen of International Falls are the defending champions.

Civic Election Candidates

A few more names have come to the surface for this year's civic elections across the Rainy River district.

Debbie Ewald is seeking reelection as mayor of Rainy River.

In the township of Chapple, Peter Van Heyst will seek another term as reeve.

Incumbents James Gibson and Rick Neilson along with newcomer Ken Wilson have filed election as councillor.

And in LaVallee, incumbent Freeda Carmody and newcomer Harold Kellar have filed for the councillor seats available in that township.

Fire Hazard Climbs

The forest fire hazard is on the climb in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the hazard is sitting at moderate to high for much of the region with higher hazards in the southern portions of Fort Frances, Quetico Provincial Park and Thunder Bay areas.

With no rain in the immediate forecast, the MNR is expecting the hazard to climb further.

There are currently 6 fires burning, none in the Rainy River district.

Wait List Concern

(CJUK Photo)

Persons United for Self Help in Northwestern Ontario wants the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate the region's long wait lists.

There are now 400 people waiting for accessible supportive community housing and home support care.

PUSH president Ron Ross says some have been waiting for a decade.

"Whether the Ombudsman investigates and wants to do a public inquiry," says Ross. "If he does a public inquiry we'll hear from the community. We'll hear from the people on wait lists. We'll hear from their families. We'll hear from others who are involved in these type of issues."

Ross says those on the wait list are now living in either long term care facilities or with their aging parents.

Mental Health Report Issued

A legislative committee is calling for a major overhaul of mental health and addiction care in Ontario.

The all-party committee is urging the government to create a new umbrella organization to co-ordinate mental health and addictions systems.

It says that would ensure services are delivered consistently and comprehensively across the province.

The committee says Ontario residents are waiting too long for treatment, and youth are caught in the gap between programs for children and those for adults.

Talks Break Down

Secret wage-freeze talks between the province and unions representing tens of thousands of health-care and education workers have reportedly collapsed.

Sources says talks that began August 9 at a Toronto hotel fizzled out last Sunday.

About a dozen unions, including the Canadian Auto Workers and the Service Employees International Union had been participating.

New Vice-Principals in Place

The Rainy River District School Board has appointed new vice-principals at three schools as classes get set to resume next week.

Anne Carradice will serve as vice-principal of Donald Young School in Emo and Nestor Falls Schools.

Beth Fairfield takes over as vice-principal of North Star Community School in Atikokan.

Park Documentary Up for Emmy

A documentary describing the importance of conserving Minnesota's national park heritage that featured Voyageurs National Park is up for a regional Emmy.

Minnesota's National Park Legacy was produced by Twin Cities Public Television in collaboration with Voyageurs National Park Association and seven other National Park units in the State.

The regional Emmys will be handed on September 25 in Minneapolis.

College Numbers Up

Officials with Rainy River Community College in International Falls are reporting an increase in enrolment.

Classes resumed this week.

New Provost Ken Simberg says early numbers show a ten per increase in student numbers.

"We had set an enrollment goal of 300 full-time equivalents," says Simberg. "Today were at about 307. We think it will go up a little more as we still have students coming in and adding classes at this time even."

Simberg says they were also somewhat successful in the push for more Ontario students.

The college offered tuition fees to them at the same rate paid by Minnesota residents.

Emo Fair a Success

This year's Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair is being hailed a success.

Exact attendance figures are still being counted, but the Society's president Emily Watson says good weather helped bring people out.

"When we were speaking with the owners of the midway, Jim and Michelle Mills, they told us that in their memory this has been the best fair in the Rainy River district in many, many years," says Watson. "So in my eyes it has been very successful."

Watson says they nearly faced a catastrophe when a sewer back-up threaten to shutdown the washrooms the night before the fair opened.

Watson says a quick response from Harold McQuaker Enterprises allowed the fair to go uninterrupted.

More Help to B.C.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is continue to send more help to fire ravaged British Columbia.

Another 184-firefighters are scheduled to leave for the west coast today to replace two-hundred who will end their two-week deployment Friday.

There are over 300 MNR personnel working in B.C.

Teachers Ready for New Year

(CJUK photo)

Teachers across northwestern Ontario have gathered in Thunder Bay to prepare for the start of another school year.

They're attending the annual Northern Ontario Education Leaders conference.

Organizer Carol Volbracht says offers teachers new ways of teaching.

"Our main focus is literacy," says Volbracht. "We have about ninety teachers. We have a variety of speakers both from outside of the area and local speakers who are representing some of things they've done in their classroom.

The theme this year is Navigating the Winds of Change.

Native Housing Funded

Three northwestern Ontario First Nations communities are receiving federal funding to improve housing conditions in their communities.

Rainy River First Nations will use just over $20-thousand to retrofit two existing homes.

Onigaming near Nestor Falls will make upgrades to five homes using about 462-thousand.

The remote community of Sandy Lake is getting $2.9 million to build ten new homes.

No TB Found in Deer

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its found no evidence of bovine tuberculosis in deer testing this past winter.

Samples were taken from 450 deer shot by hunters in northwestern Minnesota.

Officials says the results are encouraging, noting the last t.b. positive deer was found last fall.

The DNR plans to test a thousand deer this fall.

Fort Frances Civic Election Taking Shape

The civic election in Fort Frances is beginning to take shape.

Mayor Roy Avis led a host of incumbents to file for re-election.

Avis says there's been a lot of progress made under his leadership and want to continue that work.

"We have quite a few things on going at the present time," says Avis. "One of them is the Point Park litigation. Other ones being Sunny Cove Camp. I'd like to see improvements and long-term strategy for that (be complete). All those put together I'd like to see another four years as mayor of the town.

His filing was immediately followed by councillor John Albanese who's seeking another term.

"I've got the time," says Albanese. "I'm very involved in politics and I feel the town of Fort Frances needs a person like me as a watch dog.

Rick Wiedenhoeft is also seeking another term as councillor.

"I think we have a really good council right now that's headed in the right direction," says Wiedenhoeft, "and I want to be a part of that for the next four years."

Wiedenhoeft says if elected this will could be his last term in office.

He was first elected in 2003.

Harper Cabinet Minister to Visit Fort

A member of the Harper government will be paying Fort Frances a visit.

Industry Minister Tony Clement will be in the community Tuesday for a luncheon meeting with area business leaders where he'll talk about bringing new business to northern Ontario.

Clement, who's also responsible for FEDNOR, is also expected to make a announcement at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre.

It's the first visit by a federal cabinet minister to the Fort Frances area in some time.

Building Problems at Water Plant

The painting of the Fort Frances water treatment plant has led to some other repairs needed to the building's exterior.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says a problem with the brick mortar was discovered when crews pressure washed the building.

"What we're hearing from the sub-contractor is that the mortar froze when it was initially installed," says Brown. "so when they high pressure washed the mortar was just popping out."

Brown says they're now looking at the cost of repairs.

Lobbying Required

A Fort Frances councillor is defending the need to send delegations to Toronto to lobby on the town's behalf.

The latest trip was last week where some member of council met with a couple members of McGuinty's Cabinet.

Sharon Tibbs says without such trips, the town may not have reaped past grant money.

"From looking at the amounts of grants from 2009 through to 2010, if it was not our ability to go to these meetings and send a delegation that is willing to talk to Ministries and other meetings we go to, that we would have some of the funding the province makes available," says Tibbs.

Tibbs adds that without elected officials sitting on the government's side, the town almost has to be its own advocate.

More Help to B.C. Again

Another 64 Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire fighting personnel have left northwestern Ontario to help with the fire fight in British Columbia.

They replace 21 who returned home yesterday following a two week deployment.

High Schools Open

High Schools in both Fort Frances and International Falls open today.

Fort Frances High School students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who did not register in June can do so today.

At Falls High School, class schedules can be picked up.

Road Closure in Fort Frances

Seconds Street in Fort Frances at Portage Avenue is now closed.

Crews are removing recycled asphalt in advance of next week's paving of the road.

It's to reopen by 11 a.m.

Motorists can detour around the area by taking Third or Scott Streets.

Aboriginal Awareness Program for Police

OPP officers from across northwestern Ontario are taking part this week in an aboriginal awareness course at a Kenora area First Nation community.

Inspector Dave Lucas of the Kenora Detachment says its an effort to strengthen relations between police and First Nations people.

"It is a positive example of how we're working with the First Nations communities in the area," says Lucas. "It also maintains our commitment that we're maintaining the local needs as far as policing is concerned."

A total of twenty-four officers are taking part.

Inukshuk Attracting Attention

There's a new roadside attraction on Highway 11.

It's a nearly ten-foot high rock Inukshuk located at the entrance to Quetico North Outfitters, near Quetico Park.

Co-owner Clint Taylor says its a project he first considered many years ago.

"It was about ten or twelve years ago we had an idea to gathering up these rocks and building one," says Taylor. "That's when we first started seeing them showing up along the highway. We gathered up the rocks, but the projects go put aside."

Taylor says the Inukshuk has been a huge hit with many customers stopping just to take a picture.

Avis to File

A second member of Fort Frances town council is poised to file nomination papers for this October's municipal election.

Mayor Roy Avis told members of the media last night that he intends to file for re-election today.

Avis has been on council for the past 13 years, the last four as mayor.

The only official candidate so far is Sharon Tibbs, who's seeking re-election as councillor

Council Meets With Cabinet

The town of Fort Frances had the ear of a few members of the McGuinty cabinet last week.

Mayor Roy Avis, councillor Paul Ryan and CAO Mark McCaig met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley and Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello during the Association of Ontario Municipalities conference in Toronto.

Ryan says the meeting were short, but too the point.

"They have to respond to our briefs and we'll see what kind of result we get out of it," says Ryan. "I can tell you our discussions were very frank and to the point."

Topics included policing costs, First Nations blockades and the costs paid for social services.

North End Road Work

Expect plenty of work this week in Fort Frances' north end.

Paving of Portage Avenue between First and Sixth Streets is expected next week and Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says there will be some road closures in advance.

Bay City Contracting will be working in the intersection of Second Street and Portage Avenue Wednesday 7:00 am to approximately 11:00 am to the remove the recycling asphalt paving material and install granular " A" material.

As a result traffic will re-routed onto First Street and Third Street around this intersection.

On Thursday, crews will be working in the intersection of Third and Portage 9:00 am to approximately 1:00 pm.

As a result the Portage Avenue Underpass between Third and Fifth Streets will be closed.

Next Tuesday, Bay City Contracting will be working in the intersection of Fifth Street and Portage Avenue from 9:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm, again result in a closure of the underpass during this time.

A surface treatment of Fifth Street is also expected to begin tomorrow.

Lions' Park Help

The Fort Frances Lion Club is hoping for some help from the town in completing a walkway at Lion's Park in Fort Frances.

The club wants to finish off the link between the fountain and kiosk this year, but some of the costs have come well over budget.

It's now asked if the town will assist in the installation.

The request has gone to the town's operations and facilities committee for further discussion.

New Insurance Rules

New rules impacting auto insurance policies in Ontario are not sitting well with Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton.

Drivers face an array of new choices when they renew their auto insurance policies under the rules that kick in September 1.

But Hampton says the changes don't look good.

"People will be paying more for their auto insurance," says Hampton, "but if they read the fine print of the auto insurance contract, people will be getting much less. That's why we need public auto insurance because you get decent coverages without having to pay and arm and a leg."

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the choices will let consumers lower their premiums and dismisses claims the new system will be too confusing for consumers.

Hayes Head to U.S. Singing Contest

A former winner of Quest for the Best will take her talents to Wadena, Minnesota this week to participate in a national singing contest.

Brittany Hayes is competing in the state finals of the Colgate Country Showdown which is looking a new up and coming country artist.

"I've been singing in my basement everyday trying to get my songs worked out," says Hayes. "I'm going to be doing Carrie Underwood's 'Cowboy Casanova' and Garth Brooks 'The Dance.' I'm really, really excited and we get to perform with a live band."

Hayes earned the berth to the August 27 event after winning an event at Detroit Lake earlier this year.

Hayes won the 2009 Quest for the Best with this rendition of Janis Joplin's 'Cry Baby.'

Doer Looks at Border Issues

Canada's Ambassador to the United States has agreed to look into how Canada can make it easier for Americans with minor convictions to cross the border.

Gary Doer was questioned about the policies now carried out at Canada's borders during his visit Friday to International Falls.

He agrees it vital to growing Canada's tourism industry.

"There's going to be more and more tourism dollars and anything that is stopped is a loss opportunity," says Doer. "But it won't be simple on some of the stuff that's black and white, but on some of the other stuff it can be faster."

Area tourism officials says millions of dollars have been lost because of Americans being turned back at the border for minor convictions, some decades old.

Doer also talked about the importance of maintaining a strong cross-border relationship.

Doer notes Canada is the largest importer of goods from the U.S. and is the largest exporter of oil to the States.

The following is Doer's opening remarks at Friday's luncheon.

For Sale Sign Back on Hydro Dams

There's renewed concern over the potential future of Abitibi-Bowater's hydro-electric dams in Northern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the company is again looking to sell its dams in Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls, which he says will hurt local Mills.

"It will make it more difficult for Fort Frances," says Hampton. "All of that will rebound on the sawmills. Every time you lose a paper machine then there's one less for sawmills to sell their wood chips and residuals."

A previously sale of its hydro-electric assets was put on hold when AbitibiBowater entered creditor protection in April 2009.

CFOB Coming to Atikokan

CFOB's broadcast area will become a little larger in the next few weeks.

The CRTC has given approval for CFOB to replace our sister station CKDR as the source of radio programming to Atikokan.

Vice-president of Acadia Broadcasting Jim MacMullin says it was a request that originated from residents in the community.

"The ties from Atikokan to Fort Frances are much stronger than they are between Dryden and Atikokan," says MacMullin. "That was the basis of the request by the municipality. The CRTC certainly took that into consideration very seriously."

MacMullin expects CFOB to be broadcasting in Atikokan by mid-September.

Candidates Session Cancelled

A municipal candidates session planned for tomorrow in Fort Frances has been cancelled due to a lack of interest.

It was intended to provide information about the rules candidates must follow when seeking election in this October's elections.

Municipal Affairs advisory Heather Brown says candidates can still access the information elsewhere.

"They can find information with respect to campaigning on the Ministry's website," says Brown. "There is a candidate guide that is full accessible."

There is also a candidates session in Atikokan tonight at the Economic Development Training Room beginning at 7 p.m.

Insurance Changes

Ontario drivers will see some changes when they renew their auto insurance policies this fall.

The opposition parties claim motorists will end up with higher premiums but less coverage.

However, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the choices will let consumers lower their insurance premiums.

Provincial Funding for Native Groups

(Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley (right) with Nishawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry)


The provincial government is supporting northwestern Ontario's aboriginal and Metis victims.

The Ontario Native Women's Association has developed workshops designed to foster healthy relationships.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they've adopted a "for us by us" strategy.

"You have to listen to the people who have been victims," says Bentley, "and to the communities from which they come. That's the power of this program.. It's designed by aboriginal people, delivered by aboriginal people for aboriginal people."

Another first nations group is offering a healing arts program designed to remember those first nation women who are missing.

Deal Reached at Ainsworth

Workers at the Ainsworth Mill in Barwick have accepted a new four-year deal.

Last night in Emo, the members of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union voted 87 per cent in favour of the deal reached during bargaining talks held Tuesday and Wednesday.

CEP rep Stephen Boon calls it a fair deal with a number of critical improvements to language and compensation for workers.

The deal is retroactive to July of last year.

There's no wage increases in the first two years with a four per cent increase over the last two.