Jury Rolls Concerning

There is concern among the legal community in northwestern Ontario over the issue of a lack of Aboriginal representation on the district's jury roll.

A murder trail in Thunder Bay was postponed this week because of it.

Lawyer Gil Labine says the issue of jury rolls needs to be resolved.

"Effectively it's put a stop to jury trials in Thunder Bay and the northwest region until that happens," says Labine.

A number of cases across northwestern Ontario coming up on the docket later this year could be effected as a result.

Area Concerns Shifting

The high cost of living in northwestern Ontario has become the main concern for many area residents.

A poll conducted by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty during a telephone town-hall meeting this week found most want Ottawa to make live more affordable.

"We've got a health tax. We've got HST. We've got an electronics's tax, an eco tax and of course, the price of electricity continues to rise," says Rafferty, "and so people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet."

Health Care and the Economy were ranked low by the 2,500 people who participated in the survey.

Waste Transfer Considered

The town of Fort Frances says it's willing to discuss further a Ministry of Natural Resources request to have waste from Mine Centre sent to the town's landfill site.

The MNR wanted to know Fort Frances' interest in taking on waste as it works toward closing a dump now serving Mine Centre.

New sites are being explored, but a new transfer station is also being considered.

OPP Camp Coming to Fort Frances Area

Fort Frances' Sunny Cove Camp will be the site of this year's OPP's annual summer camp.

Forty children, aged 11 and 12, selected through the OPP's DARE programs in the Kenora and Rainy River districts will participate.

Constable Anne McCoy says its the second year for the week long camp.

"We're looking at a wonderful week with the kids and teaching them different development assets," says McCoy, " in helping them learn about team building concepts, life experiences and just having a great week and learning how to do different things to give them the strengths they need for life skills."

A $20-thousand provincial grant is helping to offset some of the camp's costs.

Boat Registration Changes

Canadians who own a canoe, kayak, sailboat, or a boat with a small motor will no longer have to register it with Transport Canada.

Transport Minister Chuck Strahl says the regulation was complicated, confusing, and was originally meant to apply only to commercial vessels.

Create Space for Peace

A book about a Fort Frances man's peace efforts will be presented to a local audience this weekend.

Create Space for Peace focuses on the work of late Gene Stoltzfus.

Dorothy Friesen says it was something that her husband considered before his untimely death one year ago.

"I think after he died it took on a different character," says Friesen, "and it was important to include some of his earlier roots and what other people saw and experienced - the kind of encouragement he gave them."

An event billed as the an inter-cultural peace event takes place at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Frances Sunday at 3 p.m.