Outfitters Angry over Fee Increase

Some tourist lodge owners in northwestern Ontario are accusing the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association of being a lap dog for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Paul Boucher says he's angry because the outfitters association negotiated an 800 percent increase in land use permit fees for camp owners.

"There was talk of something as far back as the mid-9o's," says Boucher, "but nobody knew what it was. No one saw it coming. There were no questionnaires sent out or solicitation of any kind. In the end, they did ask for proposals. I gave them one and they didn't like it."

NOTO's executive director Doug Reynolds says there was extensive consultation with camp owners and feels it negotiated the best deal possible.

Rafferty Opposes Internet Cap

John Rafferty is adding his voice to those upset over a CRTC decision to allow Internet service providers the right to cap data downloads.

The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP says it's going to allow the ISP's to charge more and consumers will suffer.

"What it means for people in northern Ontario who rely on broadband services and the Internet for their livelihood or for their entertainment, it will be disastrous," says Rafferty.

Internet users are being driven to an on-line petition to oppose the ruling.

CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein is to appear before a Commons committee on the issue today.

Tent Future Explored

Use it or lose it.

That's the message from the Rainy River Future Development Corporation regarding its giant events tent.

Chair George Emes says the tent, purchased over a decade ago, isn't being used as much and the Corporation is now looking to see if its still needed.

The only renters last year were organizers of fishing tournaments in Rainy River and Morson.

Not Many Healthy Smiles

A dental program set up and funded by the province to help children in low-income families isn't reaching many children in the Kenora-Rainy River area.

CAO of the Northwestern Health Unit Mark Perrault says stiff criteria has limited access the Healthy Smiles program to just sixteen children.

"It doesn't include people on social assistance," says Perrault. "It doesn't include First Nations people who have non-injured health benefits. So the criteria eligibility is such that you create a program that nobody can use."

The province had suggested at least 880 would be eligible when it provided funding to the Heath Unit last fall.

Hydro Outage

Hydro One is planning a power interruption today that will impact its customers in Mine Centre, Seine River and Lac La Croix First Nations.

The outage from noon and until 3 p.m. is needed for Hydro One to perform maintenance and upgrade to its transmission lines.

Q-Gold Update

Q-Gold Resources says high silver mineralization has been found during a fall drilling program conducted at its McKenzie Gray project near Mine Centre.

The company drilled 18 holes and released the results of the first six.

Cold January

January 2011 is going down as one of the coldest months on record.

Fort Frances' average temperature for the month reached minus 18.5 C.

That's about a 2 degree drop off the normal, making it the 3rd coldest January in the last decade.

Atikokan's average temperature for January was minus 18 C, down slightly from its normal, but still making it the 4th coldest January in that community.