The provincial government has confirmed its plans to bring down a new budget March 25.
It's to include a timetable Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will outline for eliminating Ontario's record $24.7-billion deficit.
Unlike the recent federal budget, which showed a small deficit after five years, Ontario is required by law to spell out exactly how long it will take to eliminate the red ink.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ski Tour a Go
Despite recent weather, organizers are still planned to go ahead with a cross-country ski tour through Quetico Provincial Park this Saturday.
The event takes participants on a either a 35, 45 or 55-kilometre route and attracted about 60 skiers last year.
Organizer Chris Stromberg says a lack of snow forced them to eliminate the 55-K route this year, but the other routes travel mostly on lakes that still have upwards of two feet of ice.
Stromberg says there are some portages that skiers will have to walk.
The event takes participants on a either a 35, 45 or 55-kilometre route and attracted about 60 skiers last year.
Organizer Chris Stromberg says a lack of snow forced them to eliminate the 55-K route this year, but the other routes travel mostly on lakes that still have upwards of two feet of ice.
Stromberg says there are some portages that skiers will have to walk.
The Province of Toronto?
A Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature thinks Toronto should become its own province.
The member for Bruce-Grey-Owen-Sound, Bill Murdoch, made the radical proposition at a meeting of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture.
He says rural Ontario is fighting a losing battle against what he calls "a Toronto mentality.''
Murdoch says Toronto decision-makers ignore rural voices and create policies that hurt agriculture and hamper rural food processors.
Murdoch says making Toronto the eleventh province is the only way rural Ontario will get a voice.
Park Improvements
One provincial park and a camp in northwestern Ontario are getting a facelift.
Neys Provincial Park near Terrace Bay and a Ranger camp near Sioux Lookout are receiving $700-thousand in federal and provincial cash for upgrades to both areas.
Scam Identified
OPP are warning area residents of a scam that's being found in northwestern Ontario newspapers.
Police says an ad, which promotes a Mystery Shopper Program, provides participants with a money order they're asked to cash in at their bank and send a large portion back to an address provided.
Police says an ad, which promotes a Mystery Shopper Program, provides participants with a money order they're asked to cash in at their bank and send a large portion back to an address provided.
Kenora Death Investigated
OPP are looking into the death of a 24-year-old Kenora woman.
Police found the body of Deidre Lynn Chukra Sunday morning on the shore of Lake of the Woods near the northwestern Ontario city.
Chukra was the subject of a search after reported missing March 8.
Women's Health Symposium Returns
The Women's Health Symposium is returning to Fort Frances this May.
Organizer Linda Hamilton says along with speakers and a trade show, this year's event will include a number of short films.
"We've got some wonderful National Film Board movies to watch," says Hamilton. "They might be five, seven or eight minutes long focusing on our theme this year of Diversity."
Among the speakers lined up for the May 8 event at the Fort Frances High School will be Laura Horton of Seven Generations Education Institute.
Organizer Linda Hamilton says along with speakers and a trade show, this year's event will include a number of short films.
"We've got some wonderful National Film Board movies to watch," says Hamilton. "They might be five, seven or eight minutes long focusing on our theme this year of Diversity."
Among the speakers lined up for the May 8 event at the Fort Frances High School will be Laura Horton of Seven Generations Education Institute.
Early Fires Possible
(Ministry of Natural Resources Photo)The Ministry of Natural Resources is keeping a close eye on the melting snow.
The official start of the forest fire season begins April 1st, but Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says there are signs of the potential of fires breaking out before then.
"We have had below normal snow falls over the winter," says MacLean. "so that could indicate of the possibility of a dry spring. We never say its definitely going to be dry until we see if spring rain comes."
MacLean says the MNR will have a full compliment of firefighters in place by mid-April, but will have the ability to fight any fire that does occur before then.
Economic Development Examined
Rainy River Future Development Corporation is being asked to explore how it can expand on the economic development services it now provides to the town of Fort Frances.
At last night's budget meeting, councillors asked RRFDC to consider hiring an employee who work work specifically on town projects.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says there some issues to resolve first.
"The hard part is to take that individual and have it specifically work for the Fort Frances or the economic development advisory committee," says Gillon, "because who do they take orders from? Somewhere in there I have to figure out the benefit for both."
Council also want the economic development advisory committee to have a stronger role.
At last night's budget meeting, councillors asked RRFDC to consider hiring an employee who work work specifically on town projects.
Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says there some issues to resolve first.
"The hard part is to take that individual and have it specifically work for the Fort Frances or the economic development advisory committee," says Gillon, "because who do they take orders from? Somewhere in there I have to figure out the benefit for both."
Council also want the economic development advisory committee to have a stronger role.
Costing Formula Reviewed
Area municipalities are being asked to reconsider the formula used to determine how much money they contributed toward social services in the district.
The town of Atikokan wants to adapt a formula based on each municipalities assessment, but Fort Frances councillor Sharon Tibbs the current formula is more balanced.
"It is the best overall for the district that everyone takes costs on proportionately," says Tibbs. "When you go to option 3 there are only four (communities) that will be paying higher and they will have to pick up what the reductions are from all of the others."
Tibbs says Fort Frances, along with the townships of Lake of the Woods, LaVallee and Morley would pay more under the proposed option.
Members of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board are to review the formula at a meeting next month.
The town of Atikokan wants to adapt a formula based on each municipalities assessment, but Fort Frances councillor Sharon Tibbs the current formula is more balanced.
"It is the best overall for the district that everyone takes costs on proportionately," says Tibbs. "When you go to option 3 there are only four (communities) that will be paying higher and they will have to pick up what the reductions are from all of the others."
Tibbs says Fort Frances, along with the townships of Lake of the Woods, LaVallee and Morley would pay more under the proposed option.
Members of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board are to review the formula at a meeting next month.
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