Border Costs Expensive

The cost of increased security measures at the border and its impact on Canadians is coming in at a hefty penny.

A Fraser Institute study pegs it at $19-billion annually.

Co-author Alexander Moens tells CFOB-News it's hard to say if we're getting value for that money.

Moens says the newly signed Beyond the Border initiative has the opportunity to reduce costs, but a clear understanding of the costs and benefits is needed..

Fort Frances Council At AMO

Some members of Fort Frances council are in Toronto this week for the Association of Ontario Municipalities meeting.

Mayor Roy Avis, Councillors Andrew Hallikas and Paul Ryan and CAO Mark McCaig have made the trek.

McCaig says their attendance to the meetings and workshops will include five face-to-face meetings with provincial cabinet ministers.

The delegation has meetings with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle to discuss changes to the provinces bearwise program; Linda Jeffrey, the Minister responsible for Seniors, regarding plans to get an assisted living facility; Energy Minister Chris Bentley over the possible merge of hydro utilities; Health Minister Deb Matthews about doctor recruitment and Environment Minister Jim Bradley and the high cost of recycling.

Managerial Bonuses Criticized

Critics say the governing Liberals have shot themselves in the foot by handing out bonuses to top civil servants while demanding a wage freeze from public sector workers.

Union leaders say the Liberals have undermined their position by allowing nearly 98 per cent of government managers to get bonuses last year.

They say there are tens of thousands of workers whose contracts are up this year and the bonuses will definitely come up in labour talks.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says it's hard to believe the Liberals are serious about wage restraint when so many people are getting performance pay.

Fort Frances Teacher Receives Award

A Fort Frances teacher has been recognized for helping students learn the importance of waste reduction.

Angela Petsnick was presented with an Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Award in Science and Technology for a worm composting project done for grade 2 and 3 students at J.W. Walker School.

OPP Camp Underway

Forty 12-year-olds from across northwestern Ontario are with Ontario Provincial Police officers at a summer camp near Fort Frances this week.

The annual Youth Summer Camp is at Sunny Cove Camp, aimed at building character and self-esteem amongst the young campers.

Constable Anne McCoy says part of its focus will be on a curriculum based on the program Rachel's Challenge.

Camper will also participate in some fun activities such as houseboat rides, horseback riding and their own version of the Olympics.

Fire Crews Head to B.C.

Thirty-six Ministry of Natural Resources personnel are now in British Columbia to help fight forest fires there.

The MNR is also shipping equipment west.

Officials say the low forest fire rating in northwestern Ontario is allow them to provided assistance to B-C.