Probe into Government Ministries Launched

The OPP plans to release more details today about a criminal probe into some financial deals involving government ministries and outside vendors.

Raids were conducted last Thursday at several ministries, but police won't comment on the allegations or if charges are pending.

A senior government source stressed that the investigation did not involve elected officials or political staff.

The raids took place around buildings in Toronto housing several ministries such as Energy and Infrastructure, Education and Consumer Services.

Kids Kick off Tournament

(Damon Nyberg (far right) poses with Kent (far left) and Steve Ballan after a first place finish in this year's Kids Pro Tournament)


An area youngster teamed up with former champions of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship to win this year Canada Safeway Kids Pro tournament.

Damon Nyberg, fishing with 2001 champs, Kent and Steve Ballan, combined for almost 12 pounds of fish in yesterday's event.



"We caught a pretty big one," says Damon. "Our awesome netter (Kent Ballan), one of the fish spit out the lure, as soon as he netted, spit out the lure, but he quickly got it. That was awesome."



A total of 30 kids took part.

Vote Fort Frances as Ultimate Fishing Town Canada

Fort Frances has now been nominated for the title as Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

It's a contest sponsored by the World Fishing Network.

TV Host Mariko Izumi says the winner will get $25-thousand in prizes.

"Whether it be the photos, videos or essays, the main thing is to get as many people to submit as much content about your town," says Izumi. "If you do that, you have a good chance of winning, no matter where you are located."

Voting will start August 17.

Boat Operator Licensing Changes

Some changes are in store for the test to get a pleasure craft operator card.

That card is now needed to operator a motorized boat of any type.

Cameron Taylor of BOATSmart! Canada says Transport Canada is looking new test questions.

"BOATSmart Canada has been lobbying the government to make the exam questions more applicable and more difficult to really test the boater's knowledge," says Taylor.

The new tests, which increases the number of questions from 36 to 50, will be administered starting in September.

It's estimated thousands of Canadians are still do not have their operator's license.

The fine for not having an operator's card is $250.00.

Jeffrey Speaks with Native Leaders

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey is touring area first nations to discuss the Far North Act.

Jeffrey says she's been given a bum rap when it comes to consulting area first nations.

"Ideally we would have enough time that everyone would be able to get know the bill and be comfortable with it," says Jeffery. "I don't have that luxury. I have to be back in the legislature in September where they will be clause-by-clause consideration of the bill."

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the Minister has to realize that decisions can't solely be made in Toronto and expect First Nations to accept them.

Hospital Losses Mounting

For the second year running, more than a third of Ontario hospitals are bleeding red ink.

Sixty-one of the province's 159 public hospitals reported a deficit in the last fiscal year that ended March 31, according to figures obtained from Ontario's 14 local health integration units.

Northern hospitals appear to be falling behind more than their southern counterparts.

In the four most northern regions of the province, 31 hospitals were in the red, up from 20 in the previous year.

Riverside Health Care Facilities reported a loss of $474-thousand dollars at its hospitals in Emo, Fort Frances and Rainy River.