E-I Changes Requested

Ontario is calling on Ottawa to expand Employment Insurance so workers are treated the same no matter where they live in Canada.

Because E-I is easier to get in regions of historically high unemployment, Ontario says many recession victims in the province were left out.

And Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says welfare cases are on the rise because people are exhausting their E-I benefits.

Cabinet Clean-Up

Seniors in the Rainy River district are being encouraged to look inside their medicine cabinets while doing their spring cleaning this month.

Any out-of-date or unused medications can be taken to a pharmacy for safe and free disposal.

Those who drop off old drugs by the end of this month will be entered in a draw to win a prize.

Last year, more than 50 people participated by turning in about 18 kilograms of unwanted medication.

Gravelle Visits 'Ring of Fire"

Ontario's mining minister will visit First Nations communities this week near the potentially massive chromite deposit known as the Ring of Fire.

Michael Gravelle's trip is aimed at reassuring the communities they will be properly consulted as the province seeks to develop the mine.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation warns it will take more than lip-service to ensure development can go ahead.

Letter of Commitment Signed

Grand Council Treaty #3 has signed a new Letter of Commitment with the provincial government.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it reaffirms the government's commitment to continue working with area first nations.

"My relationship with Treaty # 3 is an important one," says Gravelle. "I think the relationship with all of our aboriginal communities and leaders is based on building and continuing to build positive working relationships. I think we're working very much in that direction."

Grand Chief Diane Kelly joined with Gravelle and Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey in Friday's signing.

Radar Speed Sign Posted

Motorists travelling along Kings Highway in Fort Frances near J-W Walker School may want to watch their speed.

Constable Anne McCoy says Ontario Provincial Police have a new radar speed sign that flashes the speeds of vehicles as they pass by.

"It can be operated alone or it can be operated with an enforcement officer within the vicinity of the sign," says McCoy. "It's basically an awareness and education component first off, but it can be used with the enforcement component."

A $4,300 grant from Safe Kids Canada to the Community Policing Committee aided in the sign's purchase.

Make HST an Election Issue

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton and Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty want the voting public to make implementation of the harmonized sales tax an election issue - right now.

The two held an on-line discussion Friday and Hampton feels public pressure can help kill the HST.

"Given the proclivity of Mr. Guinty to back flip on issues in the past don't be surprised if you see a back flip on this," says Hampton. "The important this is to keep the focus on now, not what if two years from now. Keep the focus on now because now the opportunity is there to force them to do something."

Both Hampton and Rafferty recommend calling McGuinty and threatening to vote against his party in the next election if the HST goes through.