HST Exemption Given

The federal government says Ontario can allow First Nations people to have a point of sale exemption on the harmonized sales tax.

Aboriginal people in Ontario have been exempt from the provincial sales tax for decades, and were threatening road closures during the G8/G20 summits if they didn't get an HST exemption.

The exemption though won't come into effect until this September.

Native people will still have to submit receipts to receive refunds on purchases made between July 1 and August 31.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he'll be pushing for more HST exemptions now that First Nations have secured theirs.

He says the premier wants to give First Nations a break, but asks about seniors who can't pay their hydro bills.

Eye Van Adds New Service

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind is allowing northern Ontario residents the chance to be screened for diabetes at its Eye Van.

Executive Director Monique Pilkington says they're teaming up with the Northern Diabetes Health Network to provide people with access to a diabetes educator.

"The diabetes program is actually a drop-in," says Pilkington. "Although you need to have an appointment with the Eye-Van, it will be a drop-in service. Even community members are invited to come by and see the diabetes educator.

The Eye Van makes stops in Atikokan, Fort Frances and Rainy River beginning July 5.

Telemedicine Reaches Milestone

The Ontario Telemedicine Network says more than 100-thousand patients accessed health care through videoconferencing and tele-diagnostic equipment throughout the province over the past year.

CEO Dr. Ed Brown says that's a significant milestone, but just the tip of how telemedicine will be used in the future.

"We all feel like we're really just actually starting," says Dr. Brown, "because our goal is to really make this a mainstream part of the health care system, to really improve access care for patients, to reduce the burden of travel of them and their family and to help them with quality issues."

The network has been in place since 1998 with the service made available to the Rainy River district in 2002.

Golfers Wanted

Golfers are still be welcomed to participate in next weekend's RBC Charity Golf Classic at Kitchen Creek Golf Course.

Local branch manager Heather Johnson says the event helps raises money for Riverside Health Care Facilities chemotherapy department.

"Our whole focus is really cancer care," says Johnson. "Chemotherapy plays a big part in the that where they can be at home and still receive that care and medical expertise where they're close to family."

Registration forms can be picked up at the golf course or by calling Lisa Plourde at 274-7271.