New Year Resolution Failures

Canadians make them, but most don't keep New Year's resolutions.

A poll taken this month for Sun Life Financial Canada finds a lack of willpower or motivation as the big reason.

Spokesperson Lori Casselman says that's why it's better if you don't try to make a big lifestyle change all by yourself.

"We know from experience that it's a lot easier to stay motivated and on track when you make lifestyle changes together with the friend or loved one," says Casselman, "so you can support one another through the process."

Forty per cent of all Ontarians surveyed planned to exercise more in 2011.

Snow Warnings for Area

Snow Fall and Winter storm warnings have been issued by weather offices in both Ontario and Minnesota for the Rainy River district and Koochiching County.

Arnold Ashton of Environment Canada says its due to a low pressure system that's moved into the area.

"Actually it's a bit moisture starved," says Ashton. "During the day today the snow will get a little more organized and fall a bit more steadily. We'll get several centimetres accumulated today with the bulk of it falling tonight.

Today's snow will taper off by tomorrow morning, but Ashton says it will be followed by a second one that will bring even more snow on New Year's Eve.

Pay Attention to the Road

Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibilities from snow and local blowing snow are expected with a snow storm moving in the Borderland.

Paying attention and having the right type of tire can help you avoid an accident.

Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Colorado says too many drivers get into trouble when they're not focused on road and weather conditions.

"That's the one most common mistake we see in every type of driving, not just winter," says Cox. "It takes 4 to 10 times longer to stop on ice and snow so you have to be looking that much farther to ahead to respond accordingly"

Cox also supports making the switch to winter tires instead of using all-season tires, as long as they are in good condition.

E-Books Now Available

Patrons of the Fort Frances Library Technology Centre now have access to a large catalogue of e-books.

The Library launched the service yesterday.

Community Rob Matheson says users can access hundreds of titles through the comfort of their home or office.

"You'll be able to download e-books on your compatible e-reading devices from the Ontario Library Services website," says Matheson. "You can find that directly through the Fort Frances Public Library website."

Matheson says users will need a valid library card, but the books are free to access for up to 14 days.

Matheson explains the process in this demonstration

Election Talk in Ottawa

(Photo: Copyright Library of Parliament / Mone Cheng)

Election talk is springing up again in Ottawa.

As MP's started their Christmas Break, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff suggested Canadians are ready for an election.

But Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty disagrees

"I'm certainly ready and the NDP is ready for an election," says Rafferty, "but I don't want an election. I don't hear a lot of people in the riding clamouring for an election."

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says while the opposition has been chomping at the bit to force a spring vote, the government has been more focused on improving the economy of Canada.

Minnesota Legislators Prepare for Session

Democrat and Republican leaders in Minnesota are entering 2011 with high hopes and a cooperative tone, but with key differences on legislative priorities.

House Speaker-Designate Kurt Zellers says Republicans plan to hold down government spending and make Minnesota a friendlier place for businesses.

House Minority Leader-Elect Paul Thiessen says DFLers will measure their performance in the upcoming session by how well they protect middle-class families from potentially painful budget cuts.

The new session begins Tuesday.

More Support for Mental Health Programs

An expert panel set up by the Ontario government says people with mental health issues need more support in the community.

The panel says the lack of community support means the courts and hospital emergency rooms are spending too much time dealing with the mentally ill.

The advisory group is calling for more investment in community-based services.

Cigarette Package Labels Changing

Cigarette packages in Canada are about to get a lot more explicit.

The Harper government today will unveil new rules that will force tobacco companies to print even bigger and more graphic warning labels.

The new labels are also to include a toll-free phone number for a national quit-smoking hotline.

I. Falls Man Found Dead in Hotel Fire

An elderly man was found dead following a fire at an International Falls hotel early yesterday morning.

Fire investigators say 70-year-old Runo Korpi died from medical complications while at the Budget Host Inn.

A cigarette he was smoking at the time of his death is believed to have started the fire which broke out just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The blaze was contained to the one room.

Several other quests were evacuated and sent to another hotel

More Snow Expected

Another significant snowfall is being predicted for the Rainy River District and Koochiching County.

Environment Canada says a low pressure system developing over the southern plains States is expected to track northeast to Minnesota tonight and into northwestern Ontario early tomorrow morning.

As much as ten to fifteen centimetres of snow if expected.

Deficit Reducing Plan Called Window Dressing

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the public shouldn't be fooled by the province's plan reduce the deficit.

The plan, announced before Christmas, included eliminating some government agencies.

Hampton says it's nothing more than window dressing.

"This is a government that has created literally dozens of new agencies and commissions," says Hampton. "Many of those agencies and commissions have racked up millions of dollars of expenses and cost. Just before an election to say (they're) going to reduce by a handful is really just window dressing."

Hampton says none of the agencies targeted for closure will have any impact on the public.

L.U. Seeks Out More Aboriginal Students

Lakehead University is focusing on attracting more Aboriginal students.

President Brian Stevenson says he's looking at starting the recruitment process early.

"So the idea is to start approaching students in the fourth, fifth and six grades," says Stevenson, "to show them what the university can do for them and what kinds of programs they can be involved in."

There are currently about one thousand aboriginal students at L.U.

E-Health Records Project

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is taking the first step towards creating electronic health records.

A pilot project called "Doorways" will mean information will follow mental health and addiction patients.

Spokesperson Dan Muraw says it's a vast improvement from the old system.

"The information would faxed over and generally would take about three to five days," says Muraw. "With the implementation of a new portal that information is in near real time. You can imagine that the time saving with respect to work that had to be done by the provider."

The project includes agencies in Thunder Bay before being expanded elsewhere.

Librarian Wins Provincial Award

(Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre photo)


The chief librarian and C.E.O. of the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre has won a distinguished award from the Ontario Library Boards' Association.

Margaret Sedgwick is being awarded the W.J. Robertson Medallion for outstanding leadership in the advancement of public library services.

She's to receive the award when at an event in Toronto in February.

Sedgwick is the first northwestern Ontario recipient since former Atikokan Librarian Doris Brown earned the award in 1997.

Final Shopping Day for Christmas

It's the final shopping day before Christmas, and retailers in both Fort Frances and International Falls are reporting brisk business this week.

Most stores though will close early today so time for last minute shoppers will be precious.

In the U.S., the National Retail Federation predicts that holiday spending will reach $451.5 billion dollars this year.

That would be the biggest year-over-year increase since 2006.

Don't Drink and Drive

Ontario Provincial Police are warning party goers to not drink and drive.

Sergeant Ken Mantey says the message is simple.

"We don't want to have any more victims of drinking and driving," says Mantey. "It's 100 per cent preventable and that's why it's important."

O.P.P. will be out in force this holiday weekend.

Slippery Roads in Borderland

O.P.P. are reminding motorists in the Borderland to drive carefully this morning.

Freezing rain is reported in parts of the district, making roads very slippery.

Police says motorists should reduce their speed and drive according to road conditions.

Drive Safe on Roads

Area highways can be pretty busy during the holiday season and the OPP are reminding the public to take their time.

Constable Carol Michtics says road conditions can change quickly.

"Plan your trip before starting out," says Michtics. "You can visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's website for road conditions or call 1-800-268-4686 for the current road conditions."

Michtics says make sure you dress for the weather and drive according to the road and weather conditions.

Fort Frances Student to Visit Africa

While most students are enjoying their Christmas break a grade 10 student at Fort Frances High School is already looking ahead to his summer vacation.

Dexter Fischuk is hoping to travel to Africa to take part in a humanitarian program sponsored by the group International Volunteer H.Q.

"I want to go to Kenya to teach music at an orphanage for a month," says Fischuk. "I'll have experience of what that country is like. When I come back I'm planning to go to schools across the Rainy River district and speaking about it."

Fischuk is now in the process of raising the $3,000 needed to pay for his trip.

Donations Head North

Fort Hope and Pickle Lake children will be having a Merry Christmas this year thanks to the Nishnawbe Aski Police.

Thousands of dollars of toys were delivered to both communities.

Twelve-hundred pounds of donations were sent to Fort Hope, and over 3-thousand dollars worth of toys made it up to Pickle Lake.

NORAD Watching Santa

The North American Air Defence Command is ready to keep Santa Claus safe as he travels around the world tonight.

NORAD is responsible for keeping the airspace safe in North America, and tracks Santa's movements every Christmas Eve.

Lt. Stacey Knott says NORAD's fighter jets will intercept him to wish him a safe journey.

"We are going up and meeting him with our fighter aircraft to make sure that he travels safely across our country," says Knott, "and then kind of tipping the wings to him, to say 'hello' from our jets."

Children can also track Santa's movements by going to NORAD's website as well.

CDAT Stats Released

Nearly half a million dollars in illegal drugs were taken off the streets in the Rainy River district as a result of investigations by the Fort Frances Community Drug Action Team in 2010.

Much of it was marijuana, but police also seized quantities of prescription drugs, ecstasy and cocaine.

O.P.P. Constable Anne McCoy says the team's work is making a difference.

"We had over 41 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges laid," says McCoy. "We had over 23 Criminal Code charges and there were 10 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants."

The team was formed just over a year to focus on the area's illegal drug trade.

Home Care Services Expanded

Riverview Manor in Rainy River is among three facilities in the Kenora and Rainy River districts that will receive funding to expand home-care services.

Northwestern Independent Living Services will use $120-thousand to provide its services to residents living in the home.

Executive Director Kristen Miclash says it allows seniors to remain in their communities longer.

"We're really excited to be develop this project in partnership with the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board," says Miclash. "In this new project we have the opportunity to provide a bitter higher care needs for higher care need people because four of the units have been modified."

The funding is through the Northwest Local Health Integration Network's Aging at Home Initiative.

Apartments Get Go Ahead

The town of Fort Frances has given the green light for construction of a 10-unit residential complex in the town's north end.

Councillors this week approved a zoning by-law amendment for the project proposed by the Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaiganun Corporation at the intersection of York Avenue and Eighth Street West.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring.

Residents Get Help with Recycling

Residents in the Fort Frances area will soon be getting some tips on how to keep more of their waste out of the landfill site.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the annual garbage pick-up schedule, a fridge magnet and some info on local recycling programs will soon be delivered to area homes.

"The availability of what recycling, hazardous waste days that are going to happen in the next two years," says Brown. "The free tipped days at Hallowe'en, which places where you can drop off tires. All of the little tidbits about recycling."

A grant from Waste Diversion Ontario helped cover the cost of the materials.

Keep Gas Metres Free of Snow

A Minnesota agency is urging residents to check their outdoor gas meters to make sure they're free of ice and snow buildup.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Pipeline Safety says accumulated ice and snow can block the regulator vent, leading to the potential of gas leaks inside the home or a lack of gas flow resulting in frozen pipes and no heat.

Hydro Costs Increasing

The new year will bring higher electricity bills to Hydro One Network customers.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved a $7 per cent increase on the delivery portion of electricity bills effective January 1st.

That equates to about annual increase of $4.51 on the average residential bill.

Delivery accounts for about 38 per cent of the total charges.

International Falls Budget

The city of International Falls will collect just over $2-million through taxation to help its books balance.

City councillors approved the budget earlier this week.

Chair of the city's Finance Committee, Councillor Cynthia Jacka, the levy and the budget remains the same as in 2009.

The city is expected to receive almost four million dollars in local state aid.

Gravelle Fights for regional E.F.O.

Michael Gravelle says he's fighting to keep a regional emergency field officer in Thunder Bay.

The Northern Development Minister says he's doing everything he can behind the scenes keep the position here from being eliminated.

"I am working and lobbying very hard Jim Bradley, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services," says Gravelle. "I believe that it is a very important position."

The current officer is due to retire at the end of January and the McGuinty government has no plans to replace him.

Minnesota Water Water Discharge Permits Violated

Minnesota is being accused of not being aggressive enough in cracking down on water polluters in the state.

A Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy report suggests two-thirds of Minnesota companies had at least one violation over the past five years.

But Author Michael Schmidt says few faced any penalty.

"The State has the authority and the obligation to make sure the facilities comply with their permits," says Schmidt. "and having 2/3rds out of compliance shows they are not doing that."

The report claims Boise's Mill in International Falls was among few companies with violations that actually had enforcement action taken against them.

Minnesota Hold Seats in Washington

Minnesota won't lose any representation in the U.S. House.

In the first data released from the 2010 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau says the state's population grew 7.8 per cent - to 5.3 million - since 2000, allowing it retain the eight seats in Washington.

Gov.-elect Mark Dayton says with the state facing a huge deficit and sluggish economy, it couldn't afford to lose a voice in Washington nor any of $400 billion in federal money allocated based on the census data.

NOMA Presidency Decided Next Month

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is expected to elect a new president next month.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is now filling the position on an interim basis, but says he'll stay on it no one else wants the job.

"I don't know how it will turn out," says Brown. "If there's nobody wants that wants do it until the annual meeting in April, I'd be prepared to do that."

Brown took over the president's role after Anne Krassilowski was defeated in the mayoral race in Dryden.

Rafferty on Year at Ottawa

MP's are back home for their Christmas break.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he was hoping the past session of Parliament would have been a little more productive than it was.

"A lot of legislation has not been passed that we would have liked passed," says Rafferty. "Sometimes that happens in minority governments but we're still working to pass legislation that we know is good for Canadians."

Rafferty says many pieces of legislation including his own private member's bill protecting workers pensions have been slowed by various means.

Kettle Campaign at Half-Way Mark

(Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis helped kick off the Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign earlier this month)

The Salvation Army in Fort Frances is just over the half-way mark towards meeting its financial goal in this year's Christmas Kettle Campaign.

Captain Angel Sandoval says just over $8-thousand has been raised since the campaign kicked off at the beginning of the month.

"Things are a little slow," says Sandoval. "We can ask the public that if they have any spare change to put it in the kettles. Everything is going to help pay the expense of the campaign."

The Kettle Campaign comes to an end this Friday afternoon.

Recycling Report Accepted in Principal

Fort Frances town councillors have accepted a report in principal aimed at increasing the amount of materials collected for recycling in the town.

The report makes nine recommendations.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says its now up to council to decided how it will proceed with the report.

"This is a ten year strategy," says Brown. "Every one of the strategies will cost the community more money so what (council) will have to decide is which one strategy we're going to do in 2011 for the coming year."

Requiring businesses to ban the use of plastic shopping bags is among proposed recommendations.

Police Costing Concern Resolution Passed

Fort Frances town councillors supported a resolution last night calling on the province for more money to help with local policing costs.

The cost of contracting police services to the OPP has risen 47 per cent over the past decade and the town's concerned with the impact a recent 5 per cent wage increase given to OPP officers across the province will have on its budget.

The town is expected to receive about $940-thousand from the province for policing in 2011.

Fan Club Seeks By-Law Exemption

Fort Frances Lakers Fan Club is calling on the town of Fort Frances for an exemption to the town's new sign-by-law.

The by-law, effective January first, puts a 180 day a year limit on the use of so-called portable signs at any one location.

The Lakers Fan Club currently uses signs at Canadian Tire and the White Pine Inn to promote the team's games and other activities year round.

I. Falls Man Faces Sex Assault Charges

An International Falls man who works as a Customs Border Protection Officer is facing charges of sexual assault.

The Koochiching County Sheriff's Office arrested 45-year-old Patrick Hamburg in mid-November, but only charged him last Thursday.

According to a criminal complaint, Hamburg is alleged to have sexually assaulted a young girl over a four year period beginning in 2005.

Natural Gas Prices to Drop

Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario will see a slight decrease in their bills in the new year.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved a decrease of about 2.3 cents per cubic metre on the price paid for natural gas effective January 1st.

A drop in the price paid by Union Gas will mean its customers will save about 9 dollars over the year on the price they pay.

Morley Has Reeve

The township of Morley has a full council.

Moe Henry, acclaimed as a councillor in October's municipal election, is now serving as Reeve.

Tyler Nordin comes aboard to fill the vacancy created by Henry's move.

The appointments, done earlier this month, were necessary after nobody filed for the position of Reeve prior to the October 25th election.

Safe Schools Grant

The Rainy River District School Board and the Ontario Provincial Police have secured funding for a Safe Schools initiative.

A total of 100-thousand dollars from the Ministry of Community and Correctional Services will help bring training to school staff across the district in the area of threat assessment and trauma response.

An interagency protocol is also to be developed that enable schools to response more quickly to incidents that could pose potential risk to others.

The training is expected to begin this spring.

McTaggart Back as Police Service Board Chair

John McTaggart has been re-elected chair of the Police Services board for Fort Frances.

McTaggart has been with the board several years.

Former Fort France mayor Glenn Witherspoon will again serve as the vice-chair.

Former Bingo Hall Looked At

There appears to be some serious interest in the former Fort Frances Bingo Hall.

Jack Mallon, real estate agent with Royal LePage Lannon Realty, says no offer has yet been submitted, but a group recently went through vacant hall and is now working on the necessary financing.

The name of the group was not disclosed.

Atikokan Mayor Recognized

The mayor of Atikokan has been recognized for his long career in municipal politics.

Dennis Brown has received a 25-year Long-Standing Service Award from the Province of Ontario.

Brown was first elected to Atikokan municipal council in 1980, and has served as mayor for the last 13 years.

Cost of Food Up

The Northwestern Health Unit says the cost for families in the Kenora-Rainy River district to eat healthy each month has risen 11 per cent over the past year.

Nutritionist Julie Slack says the over $916.00 price tag for food is leading many to make unhealthy food choices so they have money for other expenses.

"Food tends to be or often is the one that you will let go," says Slack, "or choose what is cheaper. Often less healthy foods are the cheaper foods so people might be making food chooses that aren't the best so they can pay their rent."

Slack says while food prices continue to rise, incomes have not kept up at the same pace.

Testing Exceeds Provincial Standard

The town of Fort Frances is looking to see if it can still limit the number of water samples it takes to test for lead despite exceeding provincial standards this past summer.

During June and October, adverse lead levels were found in just three samples of 22 sites tested.

That equates to about 13.6 per cent, but the province wants 10 per cent or less before allowing municipalities to reduce their testing.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says because the town has been within acceptable levels in the past, it's hoping to still qualify for reduced testing.

Baby Boom?

(Diane Maxey with one of many babies born in 2010)


It's turning out to be a banner year for births at Fort Frances' LaVerendrye Hospital.

Riverside Health Care Facilities says 218 babies have been born to the end of November, exceeding the 190 births born in all of last year.

It's also the highest number of births at the hospital since 1998 when there were 253.

This past November alone brought in 28 babies, compared with the 16 in the same month last year.

Senior Executives Gets Bonuses

Five senior AbitibiBowater executives are splitting nearly $5-million U.S. in cash and stock for their efforts in helping the forest products company restructure its operations and exit creditor protection.

Departing chief executive David Paterson gets about $1.1 million in restructuring recognition awards and profit bonuses.

OPP Cruiser Destroyed

Provincial police are eminding motorists to slow down or move over when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its lights activated.

The warning comes following an incident near Upsala in which a transport slammed into the back of an empty cruiser, stopped while the officer was investigating a truck fire.

The officer was not hurt.

Failing to slow down or move over for an emergency vehicle can result in a fine of up to $2-thousand.

Drug Arrests

Four people face drug-related charges following three separate incidences in Fort Frances last month.

In one case, six pounds of marijuana, valued at over $57-thousand, a replica handgun and cash were found by OPP after stopping a vehicle December 1st.

Constable Anne McCoy says it's a sizable find.

"It is one of the larger marijuana seizures the police have made," says McCoy. "That's credit to the work and the intelligence work that the Community Drug Action Team has been doing in our area."

Another man was charged when police found $28-hundred worth of Oxycontin pills in a vehicle.

Another man was charged after police discovered 30 grams of marijuana in his possession.

Man Busted at Border

An International Falls Man faces charges after attempting to cross into the U.S. with marijuana taped to his body.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it happened Saturday around 12:30 p.m. as the 24-year-old man was walking to International Falls.

46 grams of marijuana taped to the man's leg was found when Customs officers conducted a secondary examination.

He was later turned over the Koochiching County Sheriffs office for prosecution.

Border Stats Released

A busy November for officers with the Canada Border Services Agency in Fort Frances.

Statistics released show more than 50-thousand people crossed the border, twenty of whom were found to have various criminality issues.

Eight of which were refused entry while the rest were allowed in on temporary visitor permits.

Officers also seized a boat, motor and trailer and a vehicle from Canadians residents who attempted to undervalue their purchases.

In both cases, the owners were forced to pay heft fines to get their property back.

Kenora Trial Underway

The trial of a 39-year-old Grassy Narrows woman involved in a police shooting in downtown Kenora this past summer is underway.

Helen Proulx faces four charges including assaulting a police officer with a weapon and assault with a weapon.

OPP Constable Kathrine Moyer told the court yesterday she told Proulx at least six times to drop the knife she was carrying.

Moyer said she only fired her gun after Proulx came at her, jabbing the knife in the officers direction.

Moyer testified Proulx also repeatedly to shoot her.

Testimony continues today.

Tire Tax Credit Proposed

The Canadian Automobile Association and the Ontario Safety League are behind a coalition asking for a $25-per-tire tax credit to encourage people to buy winter tires.

The CAA says evidence from Quebec, where winter tires are mandatory, shows they do reduce accidents and help save lives.

Premier Dalton McGuinty acknowledges the benefits of snow tires and even recommends drivers use them, but says he has no intention of providing a tax credit or rebate for buying winter tires.

The Ontario Safety League says McGuinty should reconsider his opposition to the tax credit, noting snow tires reduce accidents and cut down the number of people needing care in hospitals.

Early Learning Changes Planned

Published reports suggest the McGuinty government is expected to drop plans for boards to run before-and-after-school care for full-day kindergarten students.

The program is a key piece of its early learning program.

The move comes after lobbying from daycares, which worried about losing business, and from school boards, which didn't want to operate the programs.

A lack of interest led to the Rainy River District School Board opting not to offer the programs at Atikokan's North Star Community School, its first school to offer full-day kindergarten.

Rainy River Presents Bought Deal Offering

Rainy River Resources plans to raise $65-million dollars in a bought deal offering to help advance its gold exploration project north of Barwick.

The company will issue more than 5-million shares at a reduced rate of $12.65 C. each.

Shares of Rainy River have more than doubled in value since it increased its capital budget for the year by 33 percent in August to extend drilling activities at the high mineral grade project.

New Officers In Place

Treaty Three Police Service has added some new officers.

Four constables, three sergeants and a staff sergeant were sworn-in during a ceremony in Kenora yesterday.

Police Chief Conrad DelaRonde feels its important to recognize the officers and the work that they are doing.

"We always recognize or tend to see or hear about the bad things that have occurred in the police universe," says DelaRonde, "but there's a lot of good things happening. It's opportunities like this we should give official recognition for their accomplishments."

Terry Armstrong was also sworn in as the new deputy chief.

More Help Needed

It has enough food, but the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is still looking for more people for its Community Christmas dinner.

With the dinner just ten days away, only a handful of volunteers have stepped forward while the Fort Frances Legion Ladies Auxiliary is offering to cook some of the turkeys in advance.

The bureau's Karen Mitchell says help is still required in setting up the Knox United Church hall and serving and clean-up at the dinner.

Mitchell says those also wanting a meal delivered to them on Christmas must call the Volunteer Bureau by Monday.

Hampton Expects Campaign Push by Liberals

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says Ontarians can expect to see campaign-style ads showing up in advance of next fall's provincial election.

Hampton says the McGuinty Government has been under siege in the Legislature and will likely start an active campaign very soon.

"I think the government will use the Christmas break as a period of interuption," says Hampton, "and then they will begin what will amount to an eight or nine month election campaign."

Hampton says the government has been hurt by recent reports by the Ombudsman and the Auditor General.