Campbell Looks Forward to QP Opening

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is hoping for a productive first session at Queen's Park.

The Throne speech comes today before the start of Question Period tomorrow.

Campbell says it's going to take compromise and cooperation from all three parties to deal with issues such as job creation and making life more affordable.

Campbell is scheduled to make her first statement at Queen's Park Thursday.

Throne Speech Today

The Liberals say they'll address only their own agenda in today's throne speech.

It's expected to outline the Liberal minority government's plans for a home renovation tax credit for seniors and a 30 per cent cut in college and university tuition.

The tone of the speech will be one of fiscal restraint in light on the province's $16-billion deficit.

Speaker Selected

Liberal Dave Levac is the new Speaker of the Ontario legislature.

He was elected yesterday, beating out fellow Liberals Donna Cansfield, Kevin Flynn and David Zimmer.

Board Pays for Poor Record Keeping

The Northwest Catholic District School Board has been fined $18-thousand for violations under the provincial Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Ministry of Environment charged the board with failing to keep flushing records for lead and failing to provide them to the Ministry in a timely manner following an inspection of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton in February 2010.

A board official says water quality was not impacted at the school and they've since resolved its records keeping.

Christmas Parade in Fort Frances Taking Shape

The Fort Frances Parade of Lights is set to go this Saturday.

Brenda Kellar of Causeway Insurance says its shaping up to be a good one.

The parade will start go down Scott Street, from Frenette Avenue to Mowatt, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Atikokan Christmas Parade

The Kiwanis Club hosts the annual parade in Atikokan on Saturday.

Vice-president Marlene Davidson says financial support from Ontario Power Generation is helping with a gathering afterwards at Errington Hall with Santa.

Davidson is expecting a good turnout of parade participants .

Border Stats

A total of 26 American were turned back at the Fort Frances border last month.

Statistics released by the Canada Border Services Agency reveal they were among 48 U.S. visitors found to have some form of admissibility issue.

The CBSA says four individuals had criminal records for such things as assault and break and enter.

More than 53-thousand people entered Canada through the Fort border in October.

Council Supports Great Lakes Airlines

A significant step toward securing air passenger service in International Falls has been taken.

Falls city council  approved a package of materials to be sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation as it considers options to replace service now provided by Delta.

Airport Commission chair Bob Anderson says Wyoming-based Great Lake Airlines could be taking over sometime next year.

Anderson says a decision could come within the next ten days.

A Costly ATV

A Canadian resident had his ATV seized at the border last month for trying to under-value the cost of the machine purchased in the U.S.

Canada Border Services Agency says the man declared the new machine at $35-hundred under cost in hopes to saving money on import taxes.

The ATV was seized and returned once a $2,200 penalty was paid.

Had the full value been properly declared, the taxes would have been $171.00.