Dam Sold

AbitibiBowater is selling off 75-per cent of its interest in its hydro assets in Ontario.

This includes the hydro dam in Fort Frances.

The deal with an unnamed Canadian institutional investor and a private Canadian renewable energy company is worth $300-million.

Part of the proceeds will be used to pay down the company's debt.

AbitibiBowater says power produced from the hydro dam in Fort Frances will continue to supply its mill under the terms a long-term power purchase agreement.

Contract Dispute Hearing This Week

Two labour unions head to a hearing this week in Thunder Bay in their dispute with AbitibiBowater over the interpretation of an agreement signed four years ago by mill workers in Fort Frances.

Brian Short of the International Association of Machinists Union says the company is trying to impose a new pension plan which he says, contravenes the deal signed in 2007.

"A new pension plan is excluded from being carried over unless the unions want to open up the issue for bargaining," says Short. "It is the position of the I.A.M and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers that we do not want to open the issue of pensions."

Short says all sides agreed to a moratorium on pensions until 2014.

Fort Frances Paper Mill Takes Shutdown

AbitibiBowater is temporarily halting paper production at its Fort Frances mill next week.

A two week shutdown, beginning February 21, is due to market conditions.

Company officials says the Kraft mill will continue to operate during this time.

Paper machines at the mill are expected to be back in production March 7.

Energy Task Force Formed

A group of northwestern Ontario political leaders is now part of a new Energy Task Force.

It consists of the Municipal Association, Chambers of Commerce, the city of Thunder Bay and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

NOMA president Ron Nelson says they'll fight for an energy plan for the northwest.

"We are hear together because energy issues, relevant to northwest region, lead all of us to realize that the municipalities, the business communities and the area First Nations will be best heard if we speak with a common voice."

Nelson says the northwest needs it's own plan for electricity generation, transmission and pricing.

Q-Gold Finds Partner

Q-Gold Resources is selling off some of its interest in a mining project near Mine Centre.

A letter agreement sees Vancouver-based First Star Resources earning 43 per cent interest in Q-Gold's McKenzie Grey properties.

Q-Gold released drilling results recently identifying strong gold, silver and zinc mineralization in the area.

Quit Smoking Help

Butting out may get a little easier in Ontario.

The province reportedly eyes covering the costs of smoking cessation prescription drugs.

An advisory committee has given a positive review to the anti-smoking drug Champix and is now studying Zyban.

Anti-cancer groups feel covering smoking cessation drugs is a positive move.

New Weather Temperatures

Yesterday's warm temperatures resulted in a new weather record for the city of International Falls.

The city hit 46 F, breaking the old record of 44 F set back in 1983.

Fort Frances recorded a high of 7.5 C, tying a 1983 record.