The McGuinty government's record is on the line today in a by-election in downtown Toronto.
Liberal Glen Murray, former Winnipeg Mayor, is trying to hold the riding after the resignation of deputy premier George Smitherman.
He is going up against NDP hopeful Cathy Crowe and Tory candidate Pam Taylor.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
College Teachers Strike Date Moved
OPSEU has moved back a strike deadline after news that community college teachers will vote on a so-called final contract offer February 10.
The deadline had been February 11, but union negotiator Ted Montgomery says it has been moved to the Feb. 17 to allow for more talks should the offer be voted down.
The deadline had been February 11, but union negotiator Ted Montgomery says it has been moved to the Feb. 17 to allow for more talks should the offer be voted down.
Mayor Meets with Finance Minister
Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis will get a brief audience with Ontario's Finance Minister today.
Avis will join municipal leaders from across the northwest in Thunder Bay who will speak directly to Dwight Duncan on the upcoming provincial budget.
"There's three main points they're going want to discuss," says Avis. "What process should the government put in place to enable it to move out of the deficit? What steps should the government take to streamline and provide better public services to Ontarians? And what should be the core priorities of the 2010 budget?"
Avis' time with the Minister will be brief as each speaker will be given just three minute to comment.
Avis will join municipal leaders from across the northwest in Thunder Bay who will speak directly to Dwight Duncan on the upcoming provincial budget.
"There's three main points they're going want to discuss," says Avis. "What process should the government put in place to enable it to move out of the deficit? What steps should the government take to streamline and provide better public services to Ontarians? And what should be the core priorities of the 2010 budget?"
Avis' time with the Minister will be brief as each speaker will be given just three minute to comment.
Transfer Station Upgrades
The town of Fort Frances has received some funding towards improvements to its transfer station for recyclable materials.
Waste Diversion Ontario is providing $74-thousand for the upgrades that will allow residents to drop of their recyclable at any time of the day.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $157-thousand.
Waste Diversion Ontario is providing $74-thousand for the upgrades that will allow residents to drop of their recyclable at any time of the day.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $157-thousand.
Capital Budget Reviewed
The capital budget for the Fort Frances operations and facilities department got a look through yesterday.
Some of the $6.8 million worth of work needs government assistance, but C.A.O. Mark McCaig warned councillors not to hold too much stock in that funding being there.
"There seems to be a thought you can go out there and hammer away for a grant," said McCaig. "Sure, that's the approach, but you'd better have a game plan for which one you want and there'd better one available."
Continued work along Portage Avenue and new upgrades to the east end of Scott Street account for much of the capital works projects.
Some of the $6.8 million worth of work needs government assistance, but C.A.O. Mark McCaig warned councillors not to hold too much stock in that funding being there.
"There seems to be a thought you can go out there and hammer away for a grant," said McCaig. "Sure, that's the approach, but you'd better have a game plan for which one you want and there'd better one available."
Continued work along Portage Avenue and new upgrades to the east end of Scott Street account for much of the capital works projects.
Water Rates to Go Up
Water and sewer rates are on the rise in Fort Frances.
At their budget meeting yesterday, town councillors discussed a 2 per cent hike for residential users while the variable rates for industrial, commercial and institutional sectors will go up an average 17 per cent.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the additional revenue will go towards replacing aging infrastructure.
"W find there's 13 kilometres of pipe that's reached the end of their life," says Brown. "What are we going to do with those 13 kilometres of pipe? There's streets over top of it we have to address. There has to be money in place to start replacing that pipe in the long run."
Brown says the higher rates for the I-C-I sectors also brings the cost of providing sewer and water services more in line with that paid by the residential users, but there is still about a one dollar gap.
Formal acceptance of the new rates is expected later this month.
At their budget meeting yesterday, town councillors discussed a 2 per cent hike for residential users while the variable rates for industrial, commercial and institutional sectors will go up an average 17 per cent.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the additional revenue will go towards replacing aging infrastructure.
"W find there's 13 kilometres of pipe that's reached the end of their life," says Brown. "What are we going to do with those 13 kilometres of pipe? There's streets over top of it we have to address. There has to be money in place to start replacing that pipe in the long run."
Brown says the higher rates for the I-C-I sectors also brings the cost of providing sewer and water services more in line with that paid by the residential users, but there is still about a one dollar gap.
Formal acceptance of the new rates is expected later this month.
Fleury Visit Planned
Plans are in the works to bring former NHLer Theo Fleury to the Fort Frances area next month.
Details of the visit are still be worked out by an area native health centre, but it's expected Fleury will be in the area for at least three days making a number of public appearances.
Fleury spent 15 seasons in the NHL, retiring last September after attempting a comeback with the Calgary Flames.
Fleury also recently released his autobiography "Playing with Fire" in which he claimed he was sexually assaulted by former junior hockey coach Graham James which led to addictions to drugs and alcohol during his playing career.
Details of the visit are still be worked out by an area native health centre, but it's expected Fleury will be in the area for at least three days making a number of public appearances.
Fleury spent 15 seasons in the NHL, retiring last September after attempting a comeback with the Calgary Flames.
Fleury also recently released his autobiography "Playing with Fire" in which he claimed he was sexually assaulted by former junior hockey coach Graham James which led to addictions to drugs and alcohol during his playing career.
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