Housing Wait-Lists Long

Some low-income people in the Rainy River district are waiting up to two years for housing.

That according a report by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association.

Executive Director Sharad Kerur says longer wait times and a rise in the number of people seeking social housing continues to be a trend right across the province.

"We don't have enough affordable housing supply being built in Ontario," says Kerur. "There's also an affordability issue with people not being able to afford the kind of shelter they already have."

According to the Association, the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has 37 people on wait lists for housing, compared with 24 last year.

Kerur says the numbers could be much highers with some people living with family and not registering on housing lists or those who don't have immediate access to local housing centers.

Speech Pathologists Funding

The McGuinty government is being accused of quietly cutting funding for speech pathologists in northwestern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says its led to young children with delays and handicaps in their speech waiting up to 18 months to get services.

"We know that children with delays in their speech and language development who don't receive appropriate professional help will then face subsequent serious behavioural, social and educational challenges," says Hampton.

Children's Services Minister Laurel Broten says her ministry will be soon be conducting a review on how to improve access to services.

Hampton says want is needed is funding to be restore to adequate levels.

Pharmacists Protest Today

The lawn in front of the Ontario legislature will be a sea of white lab coats today as pharmacists hold a protest rally.

They're waging a pitched campaign against the Ontario government's plan to put an end to so-called professional allowances.

The Ontario Community Pharmacies coalition will also present petitions to the McGuinty government signed by thousands of people who want the government to stop the reforms.

First Nations Working Group Plan

Provincial and territorial ministers of aboriginal affairs are moving forward on a plan to deal with some of the challenges facing first nations people.

Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they hope to close the graduation and income gap.

"We're going to add to our areas of general agreement over the next 90 days with some concrete steps that can be taken immediately to improve lives," says Bentley. "We're going to present our advice to the Premiers at the beginning of August and they can decide what they want to do with it."

The group is also calling for a First Ministers meeting on Aboriginal Issues.

Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow

It's another season for the Clover Valley Farmers Market in Fort Frances.

This year, along with local producers, board member Deb Cornell says they're hoping to attract some local musicians to play at the market.

"We're always happy to have buskers," says Cornell. "It's a way for musicians to make a little bit of money and entertain visitors to the market."

The market opens tomorrow with local maple syrup, free rhubarb plants and fresh flowers for Mother's Day available.

Relay For Life Plans Progresssing

There's a lot of interest in this year's Relay for Life event in Fort Frances.

Committee member John Homer says 24 teams have registered so far and is hoping for a few more.

"We only had 16 last year," says Homer, "so we're way a head of the game. We're shooting for thirty so if there is anyone who wants to put in a team to call Duane or myself at Gillon's."

The 12-hour fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society is scheduled for June 25 at Pither's Point Park.