HST Defended

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is defending his government's decision to implement the HST.

The NDP have launched a campaign calling on the Provincial Government to remove the tax from hydro bills.

Mauro says the NDP aren't being completely truthful.

"I don't think anyone is surprised by that," says Mauro. "NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's numbers that she used last week were extremely soundly criticized and actually people were laughing at them at how inaccurate they were."

Yesterday, the Liberals announced further tax exemptions for Seniors and their energy costs.

Native Child Welfare Services Reviewed

Ontario's Children and Youth Services Minister is committing to working with native child welfare agencies in improving services.

Laurel Broten spoke recently at a provincial conference in Fort Frances.

Broten says with the hiring of John Beaucage as a advisor, they'll be talking further about making the system better.

"John and I, along with chiefs and other experts, will be working together to bring leaders and experts and technicians to a summit which we will hold in the spring," says Broten.

Broten says it's an opportunity to work together to ensure that children and their families are well cared for.

Rafferty Supports Long-Form Census Return

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice to a long-list of politicians and organizations who want to see Canada's long-form census kept in place.

Rafferty says its a vital tool for good policy-making.

"The decision to amend it was shortsighted and was carried out without consultation," says Rafferty. "The government should immediately reverse the changes to the long-form census."

MP's debated an opposition motion yesterday calling for the long-form census to be reinstated.

Mining Studies Planned

The town of Atikokan is looking to see how prepared it is for an renewed mining boom.

Talk of new gold and iron ore mines have prompted the town to conduct three separate studies.

Mayor Dennis Brown says one will look at how well the town can meet industry needs.

"As we go through this and prepare for the mines to come in, we want to be sure we have the services that the mines are looking for," says Brown. "Consultants will interview the mining companies to get an idea on what they need."

Other studies will examine how open Atikokan is to attracting new business and where new industrial lots could be developed.

Arena Modifications Requested

A Fort Frances councillor is looking for some modifications to the Ice for Kids Arena.

Sharon Tibbs wants the town to install metal hand rails along stairs of the arena's seating area.

Tibbs says she got the idea after seeing the rails in use at an arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

"I paid particular attention to the crowd movement and watched the ability of seniors and people with various disabilities to negotiate the stairs," says Tibbs. "I noted how they were able to securely and independently reach their seats with the hand rail."

Tibbs says with a push to make government-run facilities more accessible, the town maybe able to access provincial dollars for the project.

Sewage By-Pass Made

For the third time this year, the town of Fort Frances was forced to dump partially-treated sewer directly into the Rainy River.

The by-pass of the sewage treatment plant happened during last week's rain storm.

Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown says chlorine was added to the 965 cubic meters of waste before it entered the river.

The Ministry of Environment was notified of the occurrence.

The town also by-passed the plant during two heavy rain storms in July.

Reward Offered

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is issuing a reward for information into the illegal shooting of four trumpeter swans near Warroad.

Conservation officers say the swans were found at Browns Lake and shot sometime during the opening of the ruffed grouse hunting season.

The trumpeter swan is considered a threatened species and hunters can face fines of up to $3,000 and a loss of their hunting licenses for up to three years for shooting the birds.

Minaki Lodge Plans

The Minaki Lodge properties in northwestern Ontario may have a new lease on life.

Bob Banman, a former Manitoba cabinet minister and Steinbach real estate developer Bob Schinkel say the sale should be finalized in the next few days.

Banman says they want to create several condo units in the buildings that were once used for hotel rooms.

But he says there are no plans to rebuild the hotel or operate the golf course which closed after a fire destroyed the lodge in 2003.

McGuinty Poll

Premier Dalton McGuinty is shrugging off another poll that suggests his Liberal government may be out of a job next fall as opposition parties renew their attacks over soaring hydro bills.

McGuinty says he won't be distracted by polls that show a majority of voters think it's time for a change in government, and will stay focusing on issues that matter to families, such as schools.

The Liberals have been under fire for weeks over rising home electricity bills.

McGuinty announced today he would extend an existing tax credit for seniors to help with energy costs, but opposition critics says it won't do much to help people on a fixed income.

Businesses Seek Small Water/Sewer Rate Hikes

A group of businesses are calling on Fort Frances town councillors to rethink their approach to sewer and water rates in the town.

The town has been looking to make the rates between commercial and residential users become more equal.

Paul Noonan of La Place Rendez-Vous says double-digit increases aren't reasonable.

"Incresase of fifteen to seventeen per cent or higher annual on sewer and water bill for the high volumne business users are not reasonable," says Noonan, "when combined with the slow pace of redressing the taxation issue between the commercial and residential ratepayers."

Noonan says businesses would rather see rates changes proceed at a pace that more aligned with the decrease in commercial tax rates.

Road Plan ReSubmitted

The town of Fort Frances is revising a road improvement plan to government in hopes of securing connecting link funding.

It includes a planned upgrade to Scott Street, from Reid Avenue to Colonization Road.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says it's a project they submitted for funding last year.

"We compete against other connecting link roads that go through municipalities in Ontario," says Brown. "I think there's sixteen communities. There were $16-million dollars divided up last year. We didn't get one penny."

The town is adding three smaller paving projects on Colonization Road East, Kings Highway and Mill Road to this year's wish list.

NDP Campaign to Remove HST From Hydro Bills

Ontario's New Democrats are launching a campaign to force the government to take the provincial portion of the H-S-T off hydro bills.

Speaking in the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says seniors especially, are struggling to pay their electricity bills.

"Families in northwestern Ontario are being squeezed by skyrocketing hydro bills," says Hampton. "Mary Ellen Cooper from Thunder Bay writes: “We are going to be hurt—big time—with the HST.... My pension hardly covers my expenses. When is McGuinty going to open his door and look at the hungry people of this province, of the city of Thunder Bay where the mills are closed and” people “are out of work? Where families have lost everything. It is time McGuinty gave his head a shake.”

The NDP has created a website and Leader Andrea Horwath is planning to tour the province to promote the cause.

Catholic Board E.C.E. Join CUPE

Early childhood educators hired by the Northwest Catholic District School Board are now represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees.

CUPE and the board reached a deal that sees the educators, hired as part of the full-day early learning program, following the terms of the 2009 provincially-negotiated contract for the board's support staff.

The board currently has one E.C.E. at St. Patrick's School in Atikokan with others added when the early learning program is rolled out to other schools in the future.

Citizen Committee Being Formed

A task force set up to review the management of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watershed is now looking for people to sit on a citizen's advisory committee.

Canadian secretary Kelli Saunders says the advisory committee will serve as a sounding board for the task force.

"We're hoping the group will be well-rounded," says Saunders, "representation across the border as well as from many of the different sectors that are present along the watershed."

Saunders says person interested need to contact the task force before Friday.

Women Wanted by O.P.P.

Ontario Provincial Police are looking for more women to join the ranks.

Constable Anne McCoy says OPP will hold a symposium next month in Fort Frances for women interesting in a career in policing.

"We're teaming with our recruitment Sergeant who is coming down from Thunder Bay," says McCoy, "and we're looking for women interested in a career in policing. We're looking for (women) eighteen years old or older. We're looking for individuals who reside in northwestern Ontario and meet the basic qualifications."

There is no fee to attend the October 16 event, but early registration is required by calling for the Fort Frances detachment.

Pest Stopped

U.S. Customs and Border Protection are releasing details surrounding a shipment from Bangladesh, halted at the International Falls Port of Entry earlier this month, after it was found to contain potentially destructive insects.

Scaly crickets and gall midges, tiny mosquito-like insects, were discovered during the September 8 inspection of the shipment that was headed to Chicago, through Canada.

Officials say both insects had to potential of causing damage to other agricultural crops.

The container was emptied and swept out.

It's cargo was to be fumigated before being allowed to continue.

E.R. Study

The province has established a task force to find ways of improving emergency room services in rural and northern Ontario hospitals.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson David Jenson says fourteen medical experts have been assembled to examine issues surround small E-R's and make recommendations back to the Ministry.

"It's certainly consultations that the Ministry has held," says Jenson, "and that have come through from stakeholders to identify the need to look at the systemic issues related to providing emergency services and that's what this task force is going to look at."

The group will present its recommendations to the Ministry next spring.

Feds Spend Plenty on Bottled Water

A northwestern Ontario wants to see the federal government end its dependence on bottled water.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says he's found federal departments and agencies spent almost two-and-a-half million dollars on bottled water last year.

"Just at a time when we're supposed to be tightening our belts, paying more taxes, paying HST on a whole host of things, for the government to be wasting money in this manner is just totally unacceptable," says Hyer.

Hyer says the cost may be much higher as seven government departments and agencies stopped tracking how much they spent on bottled water.

College President Retiring

(College President Patricia Lang (r) during 2010 Rainy River Campus graduation ceremonies in Fort Frances)

A national search is now on for a new president for Confederation College.

Patricia Lang says she's stepping down next July.

"It's been a privilege of a lifetime for me to be president of the College," says Lang "I've been extremely fortunate to work with all of the folks that I do and to get to meet the many talented people that I do on a daily basis."

Lang has been College president since 2000.

Rainy River to be Featured on T.V. Show

The town of Rainy River is getting some national exposure.

Jim Hoey, host and producer of the television show "The Dimestore Fishermen," is in the community to film segments for an upcoming show.

"We're here to take in the Rainy River tournament," says Hoey, "and take spend some time to documenting the community. Our program style guide is about the history, the various different cultural and recreational aspects of the communities we visit as much as is about the premiere watersheds and fisheries in the regions."

The segment on Rainy River is expected to air sometime next year.

Drug Team Busy

It's been a busy summer for members of the Fort Frances Community Drug Action Team.

The team, set up by the OPP to help deal with drug-related investigations in the Rainy River district, was involved in several drug busts resulting in charges against no fewer than ten people.

Constable Anne McCoy says police are seeing a wide-array of drugs still on the streets.

"The top three drugs that we're finding in our community are the opiates," says McCoy, "the Oxycontin, Endocets, Percocets, those types of drugs. There's also drugs like cocaine and marijuana. We're trying to tackle the misuse issues."

McCoy says tips, often through Crimestoppers, aid in the police's work.

Marijuana Party Candidate Charged

A former Marijuana Party candidate is facing drug-related charges.

66-year-old Doug Thompson, along with 63-year-old Audrey Thompson, were charged after police executed a search warrant at a home west of Kakabeka Falls, seizing 371 grams of marijuana, 371 grams of cannabis resin and and one pot plant.

Thompson, who has also been an advocate for medicinal marijuana, ran in the 2004 federal election as the Marijuana Party candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

Far North Act Passes

A controversial bill on northern land development has been passed in the Ontario legislature, despite the objections of First Nations and many northern communities.

The Liberal government's legislation aims to protect at least225,000 square kilometres of boreal forest from development _ up to21 per cent of Ontario's land mass.

Several First Nations leaders have demanded that the government scrap Bill 191, saying it violates their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

They've also accused Premier Dalton McGuinty of lying to them by promising not to pass the legislation without their approval.

Contact North Expansion

Contact North is now providing distance education and training to teach more remote First Nations youth how to govern.

CEO Maxim Jean-Louis says an agreement with the National Centre for First Nations Governance, will bring workshops to additional communities.

"We we are doing today is really formalizing the work that we've been doing," says Jean-Louis, "so that we can really escalate and being able to help them extend those workshops, not only to those communities where they're offering them face-to-face, but to also offer them straight across northern communities where they can use the technology to increase access."

Jean-Louis says the program has the potential to go nationwide.

Recycling Deal

The groundwork has been laid on a plan that could result in recycling materials collected from the Fort Frances area being sent to Kenora.

Kenora is purchasing a new vehicle that will first collect materials from Dryden twice and week and send them to Winnipeg for processing.

City officials say if the system proves effective, similar arrangements may be reached with other communities including Fort Frances.

Gun Bill Killed

The long-gun registry has survived a critical vote but just barely.

MPs last night voted 153 to 151 in favour of a Liberal motion that essentially killed a Conservative bill to scrap the program.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he'll be polling his constituents to find out what they want him to do next.

Rafferty was one of a handful of New Democrats who wanted to see the registry scrapped.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford expects the decision will now becoming a huge election issue in the ridings of MP's who voted to kill the bill.

Far North Concerns

Ontario's Environmental Commissioner says ineffective oversight from the Ontario government is allowing mining companies to illegally construct mining camps and airstrips in the Far North.

Gord Miller says a lack of Ministry of Natural Resources presence in the region is allowing the activities to happen.

"There's so much activity in the Far north," says Miller, "and the MNR just doesn't have the resources to stay on top of its responsibilities which is to look after our land and make sure the rules are followed."

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey calls the commissioner's assessment a ``stretch,'' noting her ministry has great staff in the north.

Drug Policy Implemented

Rainy River First Nation has implemented a new employee drug program.

Band officials says its aimed at helping those who struggle with subtance abuse, while ensure that all of their employees are safe and healthy.

It includes making drug testing as a condition of employment for new employees.

The policy went into place last Friday.

Children's Fair Coming

A fair, showcasing children's services in the Rainy River district, is making a return next month.

The October 5 event at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances is being put on by the Coming Together for Kids Coalition.

Chair Miranda Sigurdson of the Northwestern Health Unit says they're hoping for a variety of agencies to participate.

"Any agencies, groups, service clubs that provide services to children we're inviting them to come out to the children services fair," says Sigurdson, "to showcase what they have to offer to people with children in the area."

Anne Ainsworth, an early literacy specialist from Kenora, will also be on hand to provide workshops for parents that encourage literacy skills for children through music and reading.

The last fair of its kind was held in 2006.

Murder Charges

Two teenage girls are facing second-degree murder charges in the death of a 16-year-old girl in Thunder Bay.

The two accused - aged 14 and 15 - remain in custody and will appear in youth court next week.

Police arrested the two hours after the body of a girl from Sachigo Lake First Nation was discovered near a paved walking path Tuesday.

Her name has not been released.

Commissioner Critical of Government

Ontario's environmental commissioner says the government isn't following through on any of its environmental promises.

In his annual report released Wednesday, Gord Miller says environmental legislation the government has passed is being undermined by its inaction.

Miller says Great Lakes pollution is getting worse because the Ministry of the Environment's municipal wastewater discharge rules haven't kept up with the rising population in southern Ontario.

He also suggests Ontario's air quality standards are not "airtight'' and so whole sectors of industry are exempt from tougher rules.

Stolen Truck Found

A southern Ontario man faces charges after a stolen truck from the Fort Frances area was located south of Wawa.

OPP learned the truck was stolen while responding to a call from another motorist about a vehicle driving erratically and almost causing an accident.

The vehicle was later stopped without incident and the 29-year-old man was arrested.

Thunder Bay Murder

An autopsy will be done tomorrow in Toronto on the body of a 16-year-old girl, who is Thunder Bay's latest murder victim.

The girl, whose name has not been released, is from Sachigo Lake First Nation.

Her body was found yesterday near a trail running through a wooded area.

NOSM Talks Scheduled

It's back to the bargaining table as negotiations are now planned in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine dispute.

The school and OPSEU have agreed to continue bargaining for a first contract at the end of this month.

Two days have been set aside in Sudbury for this latest set of talks.

The 150 support workers have been on strike since August 16.

Chili Cook-Off Planned

Planning for the next Great Canadian Chili Cook-off is underway.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce event will be held October 20 and is now accepting teams.

You can call the Chamber at 274-5773 to register

It's also looking for cakes for its cake roulette event.

Rachel's Challenge Coming to I. Falls

Officials in International Falls are hoping to tackle local issues of bullying through the legacy of a victim from the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.

LeeAnn Meer of Friends Against Abuse says area residents will get to learn more a program called Rachel's Challenge next month.

"Rachel Scott was the first student killed at Columbine," says Meer. "Her family has taken her story and turned it into one of the most powerful school program in the country. It is traveling the country and we have them coming to International Falls October 5."

The program is based on an essay written by Scott a month before the shooting which challenged people to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.

More Drills Proposed by Osisko

More drills could be working on Osisko Mining's Hammond Reef project north of Atikokan by the end of the year.

Osisko acquired the project following its takeover this year of Brett Resources.

Jean-Sébastien David, a company vice-president, says they already have thirteen drills in place.

"We will add a couple of more drills before Christmas," says David. "We might have fifteen drills which would make it one of the biggest drilling programs in Canada."

David says results of the program will help in the development of a feasibility study for the project.

More Approvals Given to AbitibiBowater Plan

AbitibiBowater has achieved another step towards its exit from bankruptcy protection this fall.

The company says creditors in the United States gave its stamp of approval to a reorganization plan this week.

It received approval from Canadian creditors last week.

The plan still needs court approval in both the United States and Canada.

Natural Gas Rate Change Approved

The cost of natural gas is coming down, but Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario may still see their bills increase.

The cost of a cubic metre of natural gas will drop 3-cents beginning October 1.

The Ontario Energy Board says customers bills may still rise by about four to seven dollars over the next year.

Spokesperson Vanda Wall says it relates to a price difference Union Gas paid for natural gas over the past three months and the price it expects to pay in the next quarter.

Quetico Park Plan Reviewed

Residents in Atikokan will get a chance to comment on a new management plan for Quetico Provincial Park.

An open house will be held today at the Atikokan Arts Centre from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The plan includes the proposed creation of a new wilderness recreation zone, the elimination of two aircraft landings, and a re-opening of old logging roads to hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

Rewards Program Promoted

A rewards program that encourages local shopping is being promoted in the Rainy River district.

The program in place in Sonoma, California.

Terry Garrett of Sustaining Technologies says shoppers earn rewards each time they shop at participating businesses.

"You could earn them at one business and spend them at another," says Garrett. "That way it unites all of the businesses together with the general public to recirculate, applying the local economic multiplier effect which means the money gets spent local and stays locally."

The idea was put forward to delegates attending last week's Northern Network's Trade Conference.

Falls Concerned About Out-of-town Businesses

International Falls city council will look at its rules governing out-of-town firms that conduct business in the city.

In narrowly approving a business licenses for one such business Monday night, city councillors expressed concern about how some transient businesses have conducted themselves in the past and the impact they have on local businesses.

Mayor Shawn Mason says they can't legally prevent those businesses from setting up shop, but may be able to take steps that protect local residents.

Another Company Joins Gold Search

Another company is getting ready to enter the search for gold north of Barwick.

Soldi Ventures says in acquired 471 hectares of land, immediately south of Rainy River Resources project.

The British Columbia based junior mining company is also in negotiations to acquire additional land.

Rainy River Resources and Bayview Ventures are currently conducting separate exploration activities nearby.

Ambulance Department Expects to be Busy

The city of International Falls is preparing its ambulance department for an increase in patient transfers.

Officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre say patients needing hospital care will be sent to hospitals elsewhere until it can get a handle on damages caused by Sunday's water line break.

Speaking to city councillors Monday night, Fire Chief Jerry Jensen says ambulance personnel are being readied.

"I think they're pretty dedicated and step up pretty solid as it is," says Jensen, "(but we've asking) to be a little more diligent in telling us when they're in service and out of service. Also to let them know that they might be bringing a patient to the hospital and they might be diverted as soon as they stabilize a patient to where every they're going."

City council also agreed to adjust the schedule of its paramedics to 12 hour shifts until the number of patient transfers decreases.

Immigration Portal Getting Response

A website set up to entice immigrants to northwestern Ontario is attracting some interest.

The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal, which provides information about the region, went online in March and is managed by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.

Executive Director Kathy Woodbeck says they've been dealing with about 3 to 5 inquiries each day since.

"We've had individuals communities requested," says Woodbeck. "We've had people asking about their professions if they are needed in this region and how they can connect with economic development corporations in the communities."

Woodbeck says the site has also attracted people living elsewhere in Canada to the northwest.

Cheating on EQAO Tests Examined

Ten public schools in Ontario have been investigated for cheating and irregularities on last year's province-wide tests in reading, writing and mathematics.

Marie Parsons, chief assessment officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office, says some schools cheated while others inadvertently broke the rules.

Parson says in some cases, students were provided questions beforehand or handed back answers to correct.

Local Food Bill Proposed

Ontario's New Democrat leader Andre Horwath is planning to bring forward new legislation aimed at helping farmers.'

She says she'll introduce a private member's bill that would require all government ministries to buy local food.

Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says she's open to the idea, because it builds on what the governing Liberals have already done to promote Ontario-grown food.

OFAH Upset With Long-Gun Registry Debate

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is stepping into the debate over the federal long gun registry.

OFAH supports the campaign to dismantle the registry, but spokesperson Greg Ferrant is upset by some of the misinformation being published by the opposition.

"It's nothing more than an attempt by the opposition parties to derail a productive debate on this issue," says Ferrant, "and to attempt to frighten NDP members into changing their vote."

Ferrant is also disappointed by some New Democrats who have announced plans to change their vote when a private members bill came back to the House of Commons.

Flood Hits I. Falls Hospital

Rainy Lake Medical Centre is cleaning up after a water break forced the International Falls hospital to cancel much of its in-patient services and transfer patients to other nearby hospitals.

Executive Director Brian Long says last night's break left nearly 7 inches of water on the facilities lower floor.

Long says the hospitals emergency room is still functional, but it could be later today or tomorrow before they can determine when other services can resume.

Treaty Three Opposes Far North Act

Grand Council Treaty Three has joined the ground swell of opposition against the Far North Act.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's worried the provincial government is taking away some of the decision making over their traditional lands.

She adds that the Toronto-based discussions and consultations are not appropriate for decisions that affect this region.

WEEE Depot a Success

The first-ever collection of electronic waste from the Rainy River district is being hailed a success.

A total of 46 pallets of old computers, televisions, cellphones and other old electronic equipment were collected during Saturday's event at the Fort Frances Public Works yard.

Executive Director with Ontario Electronic Stewardship Carol Hochu says centres in southern Ontario will now remove the hazardous materials and break down the other components for recycling.

The material collected filled two transport trailer units.

Big Dollars Raised at Terry Fox Runs

New organizers, a different route and good weather attracted over one-hundred people for Sunday's Terry Fox run in Fort Frances.

A total of $11,528.23 was raised for the Terry Fox Foundation, compared to the over $11-hundred raised last year.

This year's run was organized by members of the Church of the Holy Spirit with participants walking along the Fort Frances waterfront.

Area schools are likely to add to the total as they will hold separate runs in the near future.

Run spokesperson Cheryl Wolfe says some Terry Fox run t-shirts are still available by calling 274-7074.

In Atikokan, seventeen people raised a total of $2,382.10 in an event organized by the local TD Canada Trust branch.

Last year 42 participants helped raise about $22-hundred.

This was the 30th anniversary of Terry's Fox's Marathon of Hope.

Fishing Town Contest Enters Final Week

It's down to a two town race in the World Fishing Network's contest to find the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.

Nestor Falls sits in second spot, behind Port Alberni, British Columbia, as voting enters its final week.

The northwestern Ontario community is continuing its appeal for support from the region as its fights for the title and the 25-thousand first prize money.

Atikokan Information Incorrect

An Atikokan man is not happy with the how the Ministry of Education is portraying the community.

Mike McKinnon says the Ministry's school finder website contains inaccurate information about Atikokan, including the number of residents which a university degree.

"We are a little below the provincial average in terms of education levels," says McKinnon. "That translates to about 15 per cent having some university education and for the provincial ministry of education to spread information that's is zero per cent is, to me, insulting."

McKinnon has written to the Ministry asking for the information to be corrected or removed.

Catholic Students Excell

The Northwest Catholic District School Board says its students continue to shine in their writing of provincial tests.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says the results from the April tests continue to show significant improvements.

"Our grade threes have seen an increases of eight per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and they've remained level in mathematics," says Kelly. "In grade six , we've seen increases by four per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and a minimal decrease of two per cent in mathematics."

Kelly says high marks were recorded at all schools, including Our Lady of the Way in Stratton where 91 per cent of grade three students exceeded the provincial standard for math.

MP's Back to Work Today

It's back to work for Members of Parliament.

Raffery says he'll be introducing several private members bills.

"My second Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder bill that I'm putting forward this week calls for the government to have a national strategy," says Rafferty. "What we have now are pockets of people who are working and doing their best on this particular issue. What this bill calls for is the government to say 'listen, this is a serious issue. We need a national strategy in how we're going to deal with it."

Rafferty says he's also hoping to see his private members bill on pensions become law.

Harper Calls for NDP Support

The prime minister is calling on northwestern Ontario New Democrats to help his government abolish the long-gun registry.

The bill to kill the registry will be put to a vote Wednesday.

Harper suggests NDP MP's may face a revolt in their rural ridings if they don't vote with his party.

First Nations Reiterate Opposition to Act

Northwestern Ontario First Nations say they will not recognize the Far North Act if it's passed by the provincial legislature.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the voices of First Nations people in northern Ontario are being ignored.

The bill would block up to 42 per cent of Ontario's land mass from development, protecting 225-thousand square kilometres of boreal forest.