New Democrats are proposing a sub-amendment to the federal budget aimed at killing the Harmonized Sales Tax in Ontario.
The NDP want any reference to HST removed from the budget - which if passed would cancel a 4-point-3 billion dollar payment to Ontario to implement the controversial tax.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty, who supports the sub-amendment, says it would be irresponsible for any MP in Northwestern Ontario to support the budget that effectively raises the price of gas, hydro and snow removal.
A vote on the motion is scheduled for later this evening.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
I. Falls in the Dark
Power has now been fully restored in the city of International Falls.
Amy Rutledge of Minnesota Power says the outage happened just after 6 a.m. and impact about one-thousand customers.
It forced school officials to cancel classes at Falls High School and West End Elementary.
Amy Rutledge of Minnesota Power says the outage happened just after 6 a.m. and impact about one-thousand customers.
It forced school officials to cancel classes at Falls High School and West End Elementary.
Crash Victim Identified
A resident of Sioux Narrows has been identified as the victim of an early morning motor vehicle collision near Nestor Falls that closed Highway 71 for about ten hours.
OPP say 42-year old Brian Beacham was the driver of a northbound passenger van that came into collision with an oncoming transport in the southbound lane of the Highway in the vicinity of Caliper Lake.
Police says the closure was necessary to complete their examination of the scene.
The highway is now open.
OPP say 42-year old Brian Beacham was the driver of a northbound passenger van that came into collision with an oncoming transport in the southbound lane of the Highway in the vicinity of Caliper Lake.
Police says the closure was necessary to complete their examination of the scene.
The highway is now open.
Officer Killed
Investigators are putting together the evidence they've been able to find from yesterday morning's shootout that claimed the life of a15-year veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer.
Constable Vu Pham was shot in a gun battle that broke out after he'd pulled over a vehicle near Winthrop, north of London.
Witnesses say the gunman and officer were firing at each other from across a rural road, and that as many as 20 shots were exchanged.
But OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says the officer was "immediately incapacitated'' in the gunfight and died later in the hospital.
The suspect, who was also hospitalized, is believed to be in his 70s, but his condition isn't known.
Constable Vu Pham was shot in a gun battle that broke out after he'd pulled over a vehicle near Winthrop, north of London.
Witnesses say the gunman and officer were firing at each other from across a rural road, and that as many as 20 shots were exchanged.
But OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says the officer was "immediately incapacitated'' in the gunfight and died later in the hospital.
The suspect, who was also hospitalized, is believed to be in his 70s, but his condition isn't known.
Throne Speech
Ontario's Liberal government says attracting more foreign students and investing in clean water technology will help the province get back on its feet.
The government's throne speech promises legislation to cash in on the huge demand for clean water technologies, something Ontario Federation of Labour president Sid Ryan calls a clever ploy.
Ryan says Ontario's Conservatives will be forced to talk about the deadly tainted water tragedy in Walkerton 10 years ago if the Liberals campaign on the clean water idea.
He says it would force Opposition Leader Tim Hudak into defending the policies of the Mike Harris government.
The Canadian Federation of Students calls the government's plan to bring in more foreign students to raise cash ``ridiculous,'' and says the best way to help all students is lower tuition fees.
The Tories say the government is looking at international students as a cash cow, while the New Democrats say the throne speech offers no relief to people worried about their jobs.
The government's throne speech promises legislation to cash in on the huge demand for clean water technologies, something Ontario Federation of Labour president Sid Ryan calls a clever ploy.
Ryan says Ontario's Conservatives will be forced to talk about the deadly tainted water tragedy in Walkerton 10 years ago if the Liberals campaign on the clean water idea.
He says it would force Opposition Leader Tim Hudak into defending the policies of the Mike Harris government.
The Canadian Federation of Students calls the government's plan to bring in more foreign students to raise cash ``ridiculous,'' and says the best way to help all students is lower tuition fees.
The Tories say the government is looking at international students as a cash cow, while the New Democrats say the throne speech offers no relief to people worried about their jobs.
No Weddings Please
The owner of La Place Rendez-Vous is calling on Fort Frances town councillors to reconsider their decision to allow catered weddings at Sunny Cove Camp.
Paul Noonan told councillors last night that move puts the town in direct competition with businesses already offering similar services.
"Our banquet facilities as well as others in the community including the Legion, Curling Club and Arena are no where near maxed out," said Noonan. "Opening up an additional facility will only serve to negatively impact on all of us."
Noonan suggests the town consider alternative revenue generating initiatives such as opening Sunny Cove to public camping.
Paul Noonan told councillors last night that move puts the town in direct competition with businesses already offering similar services.
"Our banquet facilities as well as others in the community including the Legion, Curling Club and Arena are no where near maxed out," said Noonan. "Opening up an additional facility will only serve to negatively impact on all of us."
Noonan suggests the town consider alternative revenue generating initiatives such as opening Sunny Cove to public camping.
Recruitment Report Released
A report commissioned by the town of Fort Frances makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the town's ability to attract and retain physicians.
Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation told councillors last night the key is creating an environment that welcomes doctors.
"It's highly competitive out there," said Gillon. "We can only do so much as a small community. But if we work together as a community and we show prospective physicians that we want them and we welcome them and we're prepare to support them, we have a very good chance of attracting younger doctors to the community."
Among the recommendations include creating an executive council within the current recruitment committee, increasing awareness of local incentive programs and hiring assistants to work with the committee.
Highway 71 Closed
Highway 71 has been closed in the Nestor Falls area due to what provincial police are describing as a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred early this morning.
Details of the accident, south of the community, have not been released at this time, and police say it's uncertain how long the highway will remained closed.
Stay tuned to B-93 for further details as they are made available.
Census Forms Out Next Week
(U.S. Census Bureau photo)
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun mailing advance letters to inform Americans of the pending arrival of the 2010 Census form.
The 10-question census is being distributed to about 120-million households next week.
Officials in Koochiching County, concerned with a potential decline in population, are pushing for students studying outside the county and seniors wintering in other states to identify the County as their main residency.
International Falls Fires
International Falls Fire Department continues to investigate two separate fires that happened on the weekend.
Saturday evening at around 10:30 p.m. firefighters responded to a blaze that completely destroyed a home on First Avenue West.
No one was inside at the time.
This morning, shortly after midnight, the department was called to a fire on County Road 2.
Fire officials say the fire originated in an building, housing a cistern, that spread to an attached trailer home.
Saturday evening at around 10:30 p.m. firefighters responded to a blaze that completely destroyed a home on First Avenue West.
No one was inside at the time.
This morning, shortly after midnight, the department was called to a fire on County Road 2.
Fire officials say the fire originated in an building, housing a cistern, that spread to an attached trailer home.
Border Concerns
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has voiced some concern with plans to construct new border facilities in International Falls.
In a review of the project's draft Environment Impact Statement, the EPA is worried about the impact from storm-water runoff and hazardous materials spills during the construction phase will have on the Rainy River.
It's asked the General Services Administration to identify protective measures before identifying a preferred location.
Federal Sport Funding Welcomed
An Olympic hopeful for the 2012 Summer Games in London is welcoming an extension of the "Own the Podium" program by the federal government.
Mary Spencer, who hoping to compete for Canada in women's boxing, says she'll benefit greatly from that funding.
"Things will change a little bit as far as how many international tournaments I'll be able to go to," says Spencer, "and the support system I'll have along the way.
The two-time world women's boxing champion was in Fort Frances and Seine River on the weekend for speaking engagements.
Mary Spencer, who hoping to compete for Canada in women's boxing, says she'll benefit greatly from that funding.
"Things will change a little bit as far as how many international tournaments I'll be able to go to," says Spencer, "and the support system I'll have along the way.
The two-time world women's boxing champion was in Fort Frances and Seine River on the weekend for speaking engagements.
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