Hospitals Seek Fairness

Ontario's hospitals says they're only seeking fairness for all health care professionals as they work toward a contract with the Ontario Nurses Association.

Both sides are awaiting an arbitrator's ruling on the issues of wages.

President of the Ontario Hospital Association Anthony Dale says the bargaining used is that based on agreements they're already signed with other labour groups.

The Nurse's union argues the hospital association wants to cut wages and benefits on the heels of a two-year wage freeze.

Nurses who work in hospital in the Rainy River district are impacted by the labour negotiations.

Greenpeace Continues PR Battle With Resolute

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Greenpeace is continuing it's public relations battle with Resolute Forest Products.

The environmental group unfurled two banners Tuesday morning on the Mount Royal Cross in Montreal.

Greenpeace says the action is part of it's campaign against Resolute's operations in the Boreal Forest.

Concerns Expressed With E-Cigs

Some see it as an alternative to the real thing, but there is a new concern over E-cigarettes.

The Minnesota Poison Control System says it seeing a dramatic rise in the number of children being poisoned by the e-cigarettes liquid nicotine.

The liquid is heated to simulate the effects of a real cigarette.

None of the children were hospitalized or seriously injured, but the State's Health Commissioner Doctor Ed Ehlinger says it high lites the potential risks and the importance of storing e-cigs out of the reach of children.

Colleges Press For 3-Year Degree Programs

Ontario's college are stressing a need for three-year college degrees.

A number of College presidents uses a skill's summit hosted by Premier Kathleen Wynne in Toronto Tuesday to press their case.

Chair of Colleges Ontario David Agnew says allowing three-year degrees would encourage more people to consider a post-secondary program.

Currently, colleges offer four-year degree programs, but can only award diplomas in a three-year program.

Fort Frances Youth Now On The Job In Fort Frances

A Fort Frances youth is now on the job as a page at Queen's Park and was introduced by Speaker of the House Dave Levac Tuesday morning.

Mira Donaldson is a grade 7 student at Robert Moore School who will for the next month deliver messages to MPP's, meet key parliamentarians and learn about Ontario's government.

It's the first time in many years that a youth from the Rainy River district has been selected to serve as a Queen's Park page.

Catholic School Trustees To Consider Stratton School Fate

A small catholic school in the Rainy River district could get a reprieve.

Trustees with the Northwest Catholic District School Board are to discuss tonight whether to keep open Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

Just 13 students are enrolled, but administration is asking trustees to postpone their decision, suggesting more time is needed to determine the potential for longer term enrolment growth.

It also suggests taking another look at the accommodation review done of the school in 2017.

Nurses Disappointed by Wage Offer

The Ontario Nurses Association is disappointed by the wage offer put forward by the province's hospitals.

A Ministry of Labour arbitrator heard from both sides over the weekend on the wage issue.

President of the Nurse's Association Linda Haslum-Stroud says the hospitals want to cut nurses' wages and benefits on the heels of a two year wage freeze.

The existing contract for nurses, including those who work in hospitals the Rainy River district, expires at the end of this month.

Fire Investigation Continues

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and the OPP have wrapped up their investigation, at the scene at least, into last Thursday's motel fire in Fort Frances.

But the exact cause of the blaze at Reid's Voyageur Inn Motel is still not be released.

Meantime, a 39-year-old man who was taken to hospital is now in Thunder Bay.

His condition continues to be monitored.

Higher Fines For Distracted Driving Considered

New legislation to crack down on distracted driving in the province has been introduced at Queen's Park.

The bill proposes to increase the range of fines to between $300 and $1,000 and assign three demerit points against those caught using their cellphone or other electronic devices while driving.

The bill also requires drivers to keep at least one metre away when passing cyclists.

Violence In Treaty 3 Communities Tackled

A new strategy in is place to prevent violence in Treaty 3 communities.

The Green Light initiative was launched in Onigaming First Nation.

Karen Kejick says they need the support of the provincial and federal governments as well as others to put an end to violence.

The green light is a symbol of a community safe house for individuals who are in need of safety in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Surgeons Donate Research Dollars

A group of orthopedic surgeons is donating a total of two million dollars over the next ten years to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The money will be used to conduct a variety of orthopedic research projects.

One will look at diabetes patients and the high rate of amputations in northwestern Ontario.

NDP Offers Job Creating Incentive Plan

Ontario's New Democrats want to reward businesses and companies who create new jobs.

Leader Andrea Horwath is proposing a new job creation tax credit that would reimburse employers 10 per cent of a new workers salaries in their first year.

Horwath says it's a simple step that would get people working now.

Former Rainy River CEO Get New Post

The former president and Chief Executive Officer of Rainy River Resources has a new post.

Raymond Threlkeld has been named chairman of the board for Newmarket Gold.

Threlkeld was with Rainy River Resources prior it being acquired by New Gold in 2013.

New Gold's executive chair Randall Oliphant is a director with director Newmarket as well.

Letting The Energy Board Do It's Job

There's no intention by the provincial government to intervene on requests for rate increases by natural gas companies in Ontario.

As CFOB-News reported this morning, Union Gas is seeking an increase that could result in northern Ontario users paying as much as $190-dollars more over the next year.

In the legislature, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli says he's confident in the decisions of the Ontario Energy Board.

Union Gas say the proposed increase reflects the prices it will likely pay for gas and transportation in the future.

Natural Gas Price Hike Possible

Union Gas customers could be in line for a significant increase in their natural gas costs.

An application before the Ontario Energy Board proposes a rate increase that would see Union Gas users in northern Ontario pay about $190 more over a 12 month period.

Projected increases in Union Gas' purchasing and transporting costs are cited as the reasons.

If approved, new rates would take effect April 1.
      

More Weather Records

No shaking this cold weather.

More weather records were set across northwestern Ontario yesterday.

In Fort Frances, the thermometer reached - 29.8 C,  surpassing the old mark of - 28 C set in 1997.

Atikokan's low of - 31.8 C beat the old mark of - 30 C set way back in 1928.

Industry Opposing Bill 83

Northern Ontario municipalities and the forest industry are voicing their opposition to a bill aimed at avoiding lawsuits that are filed simply to muzzle environment groups who speak about against industry practices.

Bill 83 is currently in second reading.

President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim says the bill is pointless.

Lim worries it will allow groups to spread malicious information without penalty.

Day Of Pink Approaching

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The Canadian Mental Health Association in Fort Frances is working to paint the district pink.

It's preparing to celebrate Day of Pink on April 9.

Spokesperson Nancy Daley-Fulton says they're encouraging the region to wear pink on that day to help promote anti-bullying.

Day of Pink come out of an event at a Nova Scotia high school where a group of older students wore pink in support of another who was being bullied because he wore a pink shirt.

Scholarship Help From Rainy River Community College

Some incentive for families effected by the downsizing at the mill in International Falls to pursue a College program at Rainy River Community College.

The College's Foundation is putting an additional $10-thousand towards a scholarship and training fund.

Laid off workers or families members will be eligible to apply for scholarships of $500 to be used at the College.

Students who received the scholarship last year will receive an additional $500 if they return this fall.

Key Tags To Be Mailed Soon

A spring tradition is continuing in Ontario and right across the country.

War Amps key tags are being mailed to all homes.

Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says we here in northwestern Ontario can expect to get them sometime in late April.

Money from donations is used to help war amputees across the country.