Ontario Election Day Two

(CJUK photo)


NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling out the Liberal Government for sending out press releases attacking her northern Ontario platform.

Horwath says if the McGuinty Liberals want to attack her policies they can take part in a northern Ontario specific debate.

Horwath spoke to a crowd of party faithful in Thunder Bay last night.

The issue of helping some newcomers find work in Canada became a hot topic yesterday on the campaign trail.

PC Leader Tim Hudak says a Liberal plan to give tax credits to employers who hire professionals trained aboard doesn't help the 500-thousand people in the province who can't find work.

The Liberal party countered by saying such attitudes are intolerant and anti-immigration.

Employment and training appears to be the focus of the party leaders as they visit the Toronto area today.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is in Newmarket at a solar panels plant.

Hudak visits a training centre in Toronto while Horwath is at one in Oakville.

Atikokan Residents to Celebrate Canoe Trip

(Atikokan Progress photo)


An Atikokan man, travelling the historic Voyageur route by canoe, will be see some familiar faces when he reaches Montreal next week.

Donna Zachariah says a trip is being organized for residents to greet Mike Ranta when he completes the 52-hundred kilometre journey.

"We certainly are going to have a celebration in Atikokan," says Zachariah, "but we also felt it was also very important to have him see, once he came up to Montreal in a canoe, somebody there from Atikokan. We feel what he's doing is representing the heart and spirit of Atikokan."

Residents are also being asked to sign a congratulatory banner.

Contest Deadline Extended

The Atikokan Economic Development Corporation is giving people some extra time to submit their ideas that help promote the town as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.

The Corporation set up a contest, but received only a few submissions by an August 31st deadline.

It's hoping more ideas come forward by the end of the month.

Knights of Columbus Celebrate

The Knights of Columbus will celebrate their 75th year in the Fort Frances area this weekend.

Grand Knight Herman Rodriques says the Knights have played a significant role in improving the quality of life for residents.

"One time, I'm told, in the early 1970's, the old Knight of Columbus hall across the arena was the place to be if you want to get married," says Rodriques. "The Knights did raise a lot of funds through its bingos and weddings. There was a very substantial contribution to the community."

A dinner Saturday night and a mass Sunday highlight festivities.

Border Concert Series Underway

The Border Concert Association will offer five shows as part of its entertainment series at Backus Auditorium in International Falls.

Paul Follan of Allied Concert Services says they come at a very affordable cost.

"The prices on the Canadian side are $45 for adults, $10 dollars for students and $95 for a family," says Follan. "It's the same price on the American side. It's a great value. If you go to all of them it's like nine dollars a show."

Street Corner Symphony, runner-up in the NBC Reality Show Sing Off, kicks things off September 30.

Ontario Election Day Two

On the provincial election campaign, Premier Dalton McGuinty says tens of thousands of new clean energy jobs would be put at risk if the Progressive Conservatives are elected on October 6.

McGuinty made the statement as he visited London to announce Samsung's intentions to build four manufacturing plants in southern Ontario.

McGuinty says PC Leader Tim Hudak's promise to tear up the contract with Samsung will kill the jobs the plants bring.

The New Democrats are promising to create a northern Ontario legislative committee as part of their northern election platform.

During a campaign stop in Sudbury Thursday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also promised to re-establish an independent ministry of aboriginal affairs instead of the joint ministry that's now in place.

And Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he will "enforce the law" when it comes to doctors who charge illegal user fees.

He says he'll make sure no one will be able to charge patients for medically necessary services if he's elected premier,

Union Attempts to Restart Talks

The union representing striking support staff at Ontario community colleges is urging students, staff and members of the public to pressure college administration.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is asking that calls and emails be sent urging a return to the bargaining table.

The strike is entering its second week.