Hampton Get New Job

It didn't take long for Howard Hampton to land a new job.

The long-time MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, who decided not to seek reelection this month, has taken a job with a Toronto law firm.

He'll be working with the firm's corporate social responsibility and aboriginal affairs groups.

Prior to entering politics, Hampton was a lawyer with the Canadian Labour Congress, and for the provincial government in Saskatchewan.

Ontario Cabinet Named Today

The McGuinty government will unveil his new cabinet today.

Sources say it will be smaller, with 22 ministers instead of the previous 28, but there will be a lot of familiar faces.

In the new cabinet, former Energy Minister Brad Duguid will head up a combined Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, while Liberal Ted McMeekin will return to cabinet as minister of
agriculture.

And Dwight Duncan, who will still be the finance minister, will also become deputy premier.

New Northern Development Minister

There will be a new Northern Development and Mines Minister in Premier McGuinty's cabinet.

Michael Gravelle, who's held the post since 2007, is being moved to handle Natural Resources.

Rick Bartolucci takes over the Northern Development portfolio.

Kathleen Wynne takes over as minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs from Brad Duguid who moves to Economic Development and Innovation.

Asbestos Ban Petition Presented

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice in the call to ban asbestos.

He presented a petition in the House of Commons yesterday.

The petition also calls for an end to government subsidies of asbestos both in Canada and abroad.

Rainy Lake Hotel Future to be Discussed

The fate of the shuttered Rainy Lake Hotel is expected to be top of conversation at an upcoming meeting of Fort Frances town councillors and local business leaders.

The meeting is expected to included members of the Downtown Business Improvement Association, Chamber of Commerce, the town's economic development advisory committee and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.

The town has investigated possible demolision of the hotel, but isn't  taking any immediate action.

Attempts to sell-off it off for tax sale early this year drew no takers.

Question of the Day - October 20

What do you think should happen to the former Rainy Lake Hotel - remodel the existing site or have it demolished.

Vote on B93.ca.

In our poll question from yesterday, 100 per cent of respondents support having some of the new seats being created in Parliament to be in northern Ontario.

New Mining Security Firm in Place

There's a new mining security company up and running in Northwestern Ontario.

Spokesperson Scott McIntosh says Synterra Security Solutions will help provide First Nations residents with employment.

Naicathewenin First Nation, along with Wunnumum Lake and Kingfisher Lake are the First Nations partners.

Used Equipment Wanted

There's another drive taking place for the collection of used hockey equipment in Fort Frances

RBC is teaming up with the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association to collect gear for kids in need.

Used items can be dropped off at the bank's branch on Scott Street until October 28.

Used figure skates will also be accepted.

A similar drive last month involved Taggs Sources for Sports, the OPP and Kidsport.

More Gold Found

The potential of yet another huge gold deposit has been identified in the Rainy River district.

Mineral Mountain Resources find comes as its conducts exploration work around the former Straw Lake mine north of Fort Frances.

Vice-president Brad Baker says they believe it to be similar to Osisko's Mining's Hammond Reef project near Atikokan.

But Baker says more exploration is needed before any consideration of a mine is made.

Official Plan Up for Public Viewing

A document that will govern land-use planning in Fort Frances for the next twenty-years comes before the public next month.

Town planner Faye Flatt says they've working for nearly two years updating its official plan which has now gone from 17 to 84 pages thick.

The plan can be viewed at the Civic Centre and Public Library with a public meeting planned for November 1st.

Critic Appointments Delayed

It appears Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell will have to wait a little longer to find out which critic portfolio she'll be responsible for in the upcoming session of Queen's Park.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath was expected to make those appointments yesterday.

Campbell says they'll now come next week.

Fire Let to Burn Out

National Park Service Photo

A forest fire burning in a remote area of Voyageurs National Park is being allowed to burn itself out.

The lightning-caused fire is burning in mixed pine and hardwood forest, two miles south of Namakan Lake.

Recent rain and colder weather have stopped the fire's spread at about 300 acres.

The fire won't be declared out until several inches of snow falls on the area.