Canada Post Workers Locked Out

(Canadaa Post workers on line in Thunder Bay last week - CJUK photo)

Rotating strikes at Canada Post have given way to a lockout of workers in urban areas.

The Crown corporation made the decision after almost two weeks of rotating walkouts.

Canada Post says the walkouts were becoming too expensive.

The post office and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are said to remain "far apart" on several key issues, with no progress being made at the bargaining table.

OPP Reviewing Community Services Initiatives

The new policing contract with the town of Fort Frances has forced the OPP to re-think its community services strategies.
Police, in the past, have been involved or helped start programs.

Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick says that will change with changing staff levels.

"What's that basically had us do is review our current programs that we have in place to make sure that we're getting basically the most bang for the buck for the community," says Kendrick, "and ensuring that our Community Services is hitting the mark."

Kendrick says the primary focus will be partnerships that have an element of policing or public safety.

Policy Institute Taking Shape

The Northern Policy Institute is taking shape.

The think tank is to help create economic development initiatives for the region.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it's mandate has been identified.

"Based on what northerners have told us," says Gravelle, "is to develop and promote proactive evidence-based purpose-driven policy options that deepen the understanding about the unique challenges and opportunities in northern Ontario and support the sustainability development and long-term economic prosperity of northern Ontario."

Gravelle discussed the institute during a conference in Thunder Bay yesterday.

Internet Safety Being Discussed

Cyber-bullying and Internet safety will be the focus of a public meeting in Atikokan tonight.

The event at St. Patrick's School is the outcome of a recent school survey.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says it's just as important parents know what they're children are doing on-line.

"Some of the parents are now familiar at all with social networking sites such like Facebook and YouTube," says McCoy. "What we're doing is we're encouraging them to get educated about them. Take a class or have their kids teach them. Sit down with them at the computer and get them to show them the websites they're visiting."

McCoy says similar sessions could be coming to other communities in the future.

Solar Projects Not Concerning

The Fort Frances Power Corporation is welcoming the increase in the number of solar projects to the area.

The latest is at Fort Frances High School.

The Corporation's CEO Jorge Ruppenstein says each project gets thoroughly tested.

"Before any of theses projects get off the ground we actually do what's called a connection impact assessment," says Ruppenstein. "where we do a computer simulation of the effect that an installation like this would have on our plant with respect to safety and electrical performance."

The high school project is the first to involve the Corporation directly.

New Website for Area Women

There's another way for Northwestern Ontario women to connect.

Executive Director of PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise Rosalind Lockyer says they've created a new website.

"We as women in the north want to have something special where women can go every day and interact with each other or help each other," says Lockyer. "Not only to build a business or advance their careers, but also to help their communities.

The website was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Missing Girl

Provincial Police are seeking the public assistance in locating a missing girl from Young Star House north of Emo.

16-year-old Belinda Paishk was last seen Monday morning when she caught a school bus to go to high in Fort Frances.

The 5'2" First Nation girl was last seen wearing a black shirt with a skull on it, jeans and a lip ring.

Visitor Restrictions Imposed

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Officials says its because of an increase in the number of confirmed cases of gastroenteritis.

Only family members of residents of the home will be permitted with visits limited to the residents room.

All group programming and a BBQ for staff and volunteers planned for yesterday was also cancelled.

Think North Forum

A conference on northern Ontario's economy happened Tuesday in Thunder Bay.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the Think North Summit is the next stage in implementing the northern growth plan.

"This is a true planning session," says Gravelle. "One where we expect to have significant input from many experts, but also from northerners themselves, on where we go next."

Municipal and business leaders from the Rainy River district were also in attendance.

Mining Forum

Thunder Bay hosted a mining forum Tuesday.

Co-Chair Michael Fox says it brought together first nations, mining companies and the provincial government.

"Having these forums and making people more aware how to get involved and move forward on a community economic development agenda for the aboriginal communities as well as Thunder Bay, looking for new opportunities will help create that awareness," says Fox.

A spokesperson with the Province also provided an update on changes to mining act regulations.