Official Opening For Good Samaritan Society

An official opening yesterday for the Good Samaritan Society's new facilities in International Falls.

Residents moved into the new 54-bed facility in September.

Administrator Adam Coe says it brings the quality of care they provide to an even a greater level

A separate ribbon cutting for a 24-unit assisted living facility adjacent to the nursing home was done in  October.

Changes To OPP Labour Rights

The Provincial Government is making the labour rights of OPP officers consistent with the rights of officers working for municipal police services.

The new legislation, which passed at Queen's Park yesterday,  will move the management rights clause out of the legislation and into the collective agreements for uniformed and civilian staff.

MP Upset With Federal Government

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is expressing disappointment in the Conservative government for failing to accept a NDP motion to expand the Canada Pension Plan.

Rafferty told the House of Commons the government has made it clear retirement security is not its priority.

The Finance Minister's Parliamentary Assistant Andrew Saxton says with the economy still unable, now is not the time to expand CPP, noting NDP's proposal would eliminate up to 70-thousand jobs across the country.

Final Vote Day In Aviva Contest

Today's the final day to vote for the "I Am Awesome and I Know It" girls retreat submission in the Aviva Community Fund contest

The Retreat is sitting fifth in the small projects category this morning with voting to conclude at 11 a.m.

Top ten finishers will receive $5,000 and move on to a final round of voting.

Click this link to vote.

Recycling Depot To Be Improved

There is some improvement coming to a recycling depot in Fort Frances.

The town plans to purchase two new compactor units and four large-sized containers to replace the smaller bins at the 6th Street depot.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it will help clean up the area.

The $218-thousand dollar cost is being covered by a $117-thousand from Stewardship Ontario.

The town will use some its gas tax dollars to cover the rest.

New Manufacturing Fund Established

The federal government is creating a new fund to boost manufacturing in northern Ontario.

The Advanced Manufacturing Fund, to be delivered by FedNor, sets aside $200-million over the next five years to encourage the development of cutting-edge technologies.

The feds say the fund was designed to address needs identified by northern Ontario manufacturers.

ALAG Asks For Closed Door Meeting

The group pushing for an assisted living facility in the Fort Frances area is asking for a closed door meeting with town council.

Members of the Assisted Living Action Group made the request after presenting an update on its work to council Monday.

Rainycrest Long Term Care's Darryl Galusha says having a facility here would avoid seniors having to move away.

ALAG has asked for the meeting to take place some time early in the new year, but did not explain why it wants the session to be behind closed doors.

New Tax Rate For Large Industrial Sector

The tax rate for Resolute Forest Products is going up.

Fort Frances treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says approval from the provincial government allows the rate to increase 15 per cent.


Five other municipalities impactted by huge assessment decreases to their pulp and paper mills also received similar approval to increase the rate 15 per cent.

Fort Frances, Witherspoon says Resolute will be billed an extra $270-thousand in taxes for this year with the new rate being used as a bench mark in next year's budget discussions.

NWO Representation Sought For MPAC Board

There's a move to get some northwestern Ontario representation on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Thunder Bay city council is nominating councillor Ken Boshcoff to sit on MPAC's board.

His name is being forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for consideration for nomination in the new year.