Candidates Debate Forestry

The forest industry started a heated discussion between the candidates in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding at a debate in Thunder Bay last night.

Liberal Ken Boshcoff pointed out, during his time in office, the Liberals had come up with solutions to help the industry but after the 2008 election the Conservative Government didn't implement them.

Conservative Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann placed blame on Liberal policies for the downturn in the forest industry.

NDP incumbent John Rafferty mentioned the played a role in getting mills the black liquor subsidy.

Protection for Native Languages Needed

A Canadian filmmaker says it's important native languages be preserved.

Andree Cazabon spoke yesterday to delegates attending the Native Studies conference in Fort Frances.

Cazabon says more schools need to offer courses in native languages.

"It's not far fetched to think that if we don't preserve language and culture that we can find ourselves with a bus load full of Asian tourists saying to them 'no,no,no we don't have any more aboriginal people in Canada. They've all been absorbed into the mainstream and don't exist anymore."

Cazabon found in her latest project, 'Third World Canada,' that many young aboriginals are already unable to speak the native language of their grandparents.

Home Show Starts

Today is the start of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Home and Leisure Show.

Manager Anthony Mason says a strongman competition tonight is one of the big attractions.

"We're really stoked that we're able to host it," says Mason. "It's a sanctioned event for the competitors which means they will be competing for spots in the Ontario Strongest Man challenge."

The doors at the Memorial Sports Centre open at 4 p.m.

Horticuluralists Gather in Atikokan

Horticulturalists from across northwestern Ontario gather in Atikokan this weekend.

They're meeting for an annual meeting.

President of the Atikokan society, Alana Rechlin says they serve as a good resource for other planters.

"If they don't have the background knowledge, this is where the horticultural societies can come in," says Rechlin. "We can give them advice, literature to read or our own experience as to what will work and what won't."

The weekend meetings coincide with the Atikokan Society's 30th anniversary.