FEDNOR Changes Proposed

Opposition MP's are again pushing for FEDNOR to become a stand-alone federal agency.

The NDP's Claude Gravelle says take the responsibility away from Industry Canada may help get the money flowing to the communities and organizations fast.

"That's the reason why we want to separate it from the Ministry's office," says Gravelle. "The Minister has to sign off on it and that can take quick awhile sometimes for the Minister to sign-off on a FEDNOR grant.

Gravelle says they're preparing to reintroduce a private member's bill that died on the order table when the last session of Parliament was prorogued.

AbitibiBowater Workers Deal

A tentative contract deal has been reached between AbitibiBowater and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

The union says the tentative pact came after the company withdrew a proposal to terminate pension plans, which would have reduced pension benefits an average of 25 per cent.

The agreement must still be presented to members and ratified by the union.

New Hospital Funding Plan

Ontario is preparing a radical change to hospital funding, changing to a system that tailors budgets to match the size and age of their communities.

A published report says the new formula would also give more money to hospitals that treat patients more efficiently.

The new approach would do away with the global hospital budgets that have allocated funding evenly across the board.

Council Discusses Doctor Recruitment

Doctor recruitment is to be discussed by Fort Frances town councillors at their meeting tonight.

Councillor are expected to hear a presentation from Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation regarding a review requested by the town on Doctor Recruitment and Retention.

The public portion of tonight's meeting gets underway at about 6:30 p.m.

New Doc Programs

There are two new government programs to recruit doctors to northern Ontario.

The first will provide grants to doctors and new medical grads who agree to practice in the north or highly rural communities.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says it replaces the Underserviced Areas Program which she says wasn't working anymore

A second program allows internationally trained graduates to practice for five years in any Ontario community except Toronto and Ottawa in return for post-graduate training opportunities

Tories Meet

About 1,200 Ontario Progressive Conservatives will spend the weekend in Ottawa preparing for next year's provincial election.

Tim Hudak, who took over as Tory leader last July, will use the meeting to fire up the troops for the October 2011 election while delegates discuss campaign readiness and policy ideas.

No Assets on the Block

Ontario's finance minister says the province will not announce any asset sales in this year's budget.

There's been much speculation about the possible privatization of key assets such as Hydro One and the Liquor Control Board as the province struggles to deal with a nearly $25-billion deficit.

Speaking in Toronto today, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says no sale will be announced this year.

Minimum Wage Raises

The minimum wage in Ontario is going up again.

The wage will go to $10.25 on March 31st.

It's the seventh increase since the province started implementing annual increases early in 2003.

International Falls Robbery

Police in International Falls are searching for a person who held up the Valu Center Store on 3rd Avenue West last night.

The suspect, who was wearing a mask, entered the store at about 10 o'clock last night and handed a note to the clerk which demanded the money from the store's cash register.

The suspect then fled before officer with International Falls Police, along with Koochiching County deputies and Border Patrol agents arrived on scene.

The suspect is described as being 5-feet to 5-foot-2 with a heavier build.

No weapon was used in the incident.

World Day of Prayer

Today is World Day of Prayer.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says students and staff with the Northwest Catholic District School Board will be recognizing the day this morning.

"World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of people of many faith traditions around the world," says Kelly. "And what they done is come together for a common day of prayer each year and it's always on the first Friday in March."

Each year a different country serves as the writer of that prayer with this year coming from the African country of Cameroon.

Fleury Tickets Available

Free tickets remain available for next Wednesday speaking engagement by former NHLer Theoren Fleury.

The talk at the Townsend Theatre will be among several Fleury will make during his visit to Fort Frances and Atikokan.

"I'm excited," says Fleury. "I'm looking forward to it. I enjoy meeting new people. I enjoy meeting Canadians. It's been my experience through the book tour right across the country that it's a great opportunity for them to meet me in person and listen to the message I have."

Ticket for the public appearance can now be picked up at Betty's or by calling the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre or the Rainy River District School Board.

Rainy River Lowers Tuition Fees

Rainy River Community College is looking to attract more Ontario students to its International Falls campus.

An agreement with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will allow non-resident tuition fees to be reduced for Ontario students to the same level paid by Minnesota residents.

Director of student Services Leanne Hardy says it makes the College becomes an attractive option for area high school students.

"I just think Rainy River Community College isn't seen as an option for the student from there," says Hardy, "that they can actually stay home and attend locally then take those credits and go on to their dream of a four-year school and save a lot of money in the meantime."

Hardy says the College has done a good job attracting Canadian students in the past, but numbers have been down recently partly due to non-resident tuition rates which are now 25-per cent higher than for Minnesota residents.

Rafferty Pans Budget

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says northwestern Ontario gets left behind in the Thursday's federal budget.

Rafferty calls it fiscally irresponsible by raising taxes and neglecting the region's forest sector.

"It looks like about $25-million a year for four years," says Rafferty. "That's a drop in the bucket. That doesn't even pay the electricity bill for one plant."

Tonight, Rafferty will host a town hall meeting on the budget at the La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 7 p.m.