Canada's Ambassador to the United States has agreed to look into how Canada can make it easier for Americans with minor convictions to cross the border.
Gary Doer was questioned about the policies now carried out at Canada's borders during his visit Friday to International Falls.
He agrees it vital to growing Canada's tourism industry.
"There's going to be more and more tourism dollars and anything that is stopped is a loss opportunity," says Doer. "But it won't be simple on some of the stuff that's black and white, but on some of the other stuff it can be faster."
Area tourism officials says millions of dollars have been lost because of Americans being turned back at the border for minor convictions, some decades old.
Doer also talked about the importance of maintaining a strong cross-border relationship.
Doer notes Canada is the largest importer of goods from the U.S. and is the largest exporter of oil to the States.
The following is Doer's opening remarks at Friday's luncheon.
Monday, August 23, 2010
For Sale Sign Back on Hydro Dams
There's renewed concern over the potential future of Abitibi-Bowater's hydro-electric dams in Northern Ontario.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the company is again looking to sell its dams in Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls, which he says will hurt local Mills.
"It will make it more difficult for Fort Frances," says Hampton. "All of that will rebound on the sawmills. Every time you lose a paper machine then there's one less for sawmills to sell their wood chips and residuals."
A previously sale of its hydro-electric assets was put on hold when AbitibiBowater entered creditor protection in April 2009.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the company is again looking to sell its dams in Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls, which he says will hurt local Mills.
"It will make it more difficult for Fort Frances," says Hampton. "All of that will rebound on the sawmills. Every time you lose a paper machine then there's one less for sawmills to sell their wood chips and residuals."
A previously sale of its hydro-electric assets was put on hold when AbitibiBowater entered creditor protection in April 2009.
CFOB Coming to Atikokan
CFOB's broadcast area will become a little larger in the next few weeks.
The CRTC has given approval for CFOB to replace our sister station CKDR as the source of radio programming to Atikokan.
Vice-president of Acadia Broadcasting Jim MacMullin says it was a request that originated from residents in the community.
The CRTC has given approval for CFOB to replace our sister station CKDR as the source of radio programming to Atikokan.
Vice-president of Acadia Broadcasting Jim MacMullin says it was a request that originated from residents in the community.
"The ties from Atikokan to Fort Frances are much stronger than they are between Dryden and Atikokan," says MacMullin. "That was the basis of the request by the municipality. The CRTC certainly took that into consideration very seriously."
MacMullin expects CFOB to be broadcasting in Atikokan by mid-September.
Candidates Session Cancelled
A municipal candidates session planned for tomorrow in Fort Frances has been cancelled due to a lack of interest.
It was intended to provide information about the rules candidates must follow when seeking election in this October's elections.
Municipal Affairs advisory Heather Brown says candidates can still access the information elsewhere.
"They can find information with respect to campaigning on the Ministry's website," says Brown. "There is a candidate guide that is full accessible."
There is also a candidates session in Atikokan tonight at the Economic Development Training Room beginning at 7 p.m.
It was intended to provide information about the rules candidates must follow when seeking election in this October's elections.
Municipal Affairs advisory Heather Brown says candidates can still access the information elsewhere.
"They can find information with respect to campaigning on the Ministry's website," says Brown. "There is a candidate guide that is full accessible."
There is also a candidates session in Atikokan tonight at the Economic Development Training Room beginning at 7 p.m.
Insurance Changes
Ontario drivers will see some changes when they renew their auto insurance policies this fall.
The opposition parties claim motorists will end up with higher premiums but less coverage.
However, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the choices will let consumers lower their insurance premiums.
The opposition parties claim motorists will end up with higher premiums but less coverage.
However, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the choices will let consumers lower their insurance premiums.
Provincial Funding for Native Groups
(Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley (right) with Nishawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry)The provincial government is supporting northwestern Ontario's aboriginal and Metis victims.
The Ontario Native Women's Association has developed workshops designed to foster healthy relationships.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they've adopted a "for us by us" strategy.
"You have to listen to the people who have been victims," says Bentley, "and to the communities from which they come. That's the power of this program.. It's designed by aboriginal people, delivered by aboriginal people for aboriginal people."
Another first nations group is offering a healing arts program designed to remember those first nation women who are missing.
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