INAC Responds to Planned Toll

The federal government is responding to Couchiching First Nations plans to set up a toll booth later this month.

In an e-mail to B-93, Michelle Yao, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, says the government is committed to working with the band and the province in resolving the issues cited as reasons for the toll.

But Yao says an open dialogue is much more constructive and effective in dealing with the band's concerns.

Last night, band council held a community meeting to update residents on their plans for the May 21st toll.

Deer Proposals Put Forward

The town of Fort Frances has filed its application for federal funding to help chase deer away from the airport.

The money would be for a 5,800 metre long fence, costing about $300-thousand.

The town is also seeking approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources on plans to deal with deer if funding doesn't come through.

It includes installing motion detection noise equipment along main deer trails near the airport and allowing a bow hunt cull if and when deer become a major concern to aircraft.

Rafferty Loses Support

John Rafferty's private members bill to provide protection to workers and their pensions when companies restructure or enter bankruptcy proceedings appears to have hit a snag.

After last week receiving hints that all parties would support it going to the committee level, the M-P for Thunder Bay-Rainy River says it now appears Conservatives are planning to put a stop to the bill.

"I guess what saddens me the most is to think that Conservatives are listen more to bank lobbyists than to ordinary Canadians," says Rafferty.

Rafferty is suggesting residents call Conservative M-P's or the Prime Minister to voice their displeasure.

Gun Registry Support

Survivors of the Montreal massacre 21 years ago head to Ottawa today in hopes of saving the long-gun registry.

Among those who will be the nation's capital today is Suzanne Laplante Edward, whose daughter, Anne-Marie, was one of 14 women murdered by a crazed gunman at the Ecole Polytechnique in 1989.

Edward is pressing for the defeat of a private member's bill that calls for the long-gun registry to be scrapped.

The bill, tabled by Tory M-P Candice Hoeppner, has received second reading in the Commons, where it was supported by eight Liberals and a-third of the N-D-P caucus.

Edward wants N-D-P Leader Jack Layton to force his MPs to vote against the bill on third reading.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is among those who supports the bills.

Province to Help C.A.S.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is making overtures to Children's Aid Societies who have gone to court for more money.

McGuinty says he wants to work with the agencies to fix their funding problems.

The premier acknowledges there's a "real issue'' when it comes to funding the agencies, but questions why these challenges persist despite increased funding and a drop in the number of children in care.

Roller Derby Fundraiser

Efforts to develop a women's roller derby team in Fort Frances are now turning to a place to play.

About thirty women have signed up to be a part of the new team and are holding practices every Wednesday at 52 Canadians Rink.

But organizer Crystal Caul says they would like a more permanent home.

"Ultimately we like to purchase our own space," says Caul, "as derby has no set schedule. There is no season. We can play 12 months of the year. Right now we would like to be able to afford to lease space."

The group is about to embark on a fundraising campaign to raise the necessary funds.

Doctors to be Recognized

The Fort Frances Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee is setting aside a week for the local community to show its appreciation to local doctors.

The week of May 31 is being designated Physicians Appreciation Week.

Chair and Fort Frances councillor Andrew Hallikas says it is long overdue.

"There are eleven doctors in town," says Hallikas, "and three of them are in their 70's and 80's. They're all working awful hard to make sure we get the appropriate health care that we need."

Part of the week will include a banquet at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Transportation Survey Underway

A group working to establish a public transportation system in the Rainy River district is looking for public input.

Gerd O'Sullivan, chair of the Regional Planning Group, says they've launched a survey as they work toward finding the necessary start-up funding.

"We need to be able to show that people are willing to use the transportation," says O'Sullivan. "We put the survey out to see if people would use it and what they would think it would be a fair cost on it because it can't be free,"

The survey will continue until the end of May.

Drug Battle Continues

Health Minister Deb Matthews denies claims that Ontario's generic drug changes will reduce the quality of health care.

Matthews says it's wrong and misleading to characterize the drug reforms as a cut to health care.

Critics argue that pharmacists will lose their jobs if the government pushes ahead with its plan to get rid of millions of dollars in fees paid by drug companies.

Energy Credit an Insult

The McGuinty governments' Northern Energy Credit is being called an insult.

Conservative MPP Randy Hillier says the program is laughable.

"This tax credit is only fully utilized if you make less than $35,000 a year," says Hillier. "As soon as you start making more than $35,000, that tax credit starts getting clawed back."

Hillier says in some parts of the north, the credit, to come out this fall, won't even cover one month of the HST.

AbitibiBowater Presents Plan

AbitibiBowater has filed its restructuring plan that will see its current shareholders wiped out and unsecured creditors own a stake in the reorganized company.

The plan will also see non-disputed pre-petition secured, administrative, debtor-in-possession and other priority claims paid in full in cash.

Before emerging from creditor protection, the company must secure exit financing and address labour costs and pension issues, as well as other conditions.

Fire Ban in Place Koochiching

The ban on burning has lifted in northwestern Ontario, but burning restrictions are remaining in effect in Minnesota's Koochiching County.

The Department of Natural Resources says rains over the weekend considerably reduced the threat of wildfires, but much more rain and a greening of vegetation are required before the seasonal fire danger abates.

Celebrate Ontario Money Received

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is getting a financial boast from the provincial government.

Tom Fry says the Celebrate Ontario funding will be used toward the entertainment portion of this year's event.

"This year we got $45-thousand," says Fry, "and that is primarily for our entertainment package. We haven't finalized it right now, but we are in the process of booking a top notched band for the Friday night."

Similar funding last year helped bring Kim Mitchell to Fort Frances.

Bond Getting Good Rating

A strong bond rating is allowing the city of International Falls to move ahead with the construction of a new headquarters for Voyageur's National Park and an amphitheatre along the Rainy River waterfront.

Moody's has given the city at A1 rating on a bonding issue that will be used to pay the $8.9 million price tag for the project.

A long term lease with the National Park Service will cover the bond.

Construction could begin within the next two weeks.

Black Knot Present

The presence of a fungal disease commonly known as Black Knot has forced the city of International Falls to cut down a number of trees.

City officials says the disease is effecting mostly Canadian Chokecherry trees and is believed to have been spread from wild or cultivated plum and cherry trees.

The city is now asking homeowners to check trees in their yards for signs of the disease.

Native Population Studied

A new study on the demographics of northwestern Ontario's native population.

Spokesperson Alexis Mantell says Ontario Trillium's Foundation says their key finding was that the area's aboriginal population is getting younger and growing at a faster rate than other sectors.

"Between 2001 and 2006 the number of aboriginal people grew by 21.5 per cent," says Mantell. "That clearly outpaces overall population in the area of just 0.1. per cent."

Mantell says the study did not look at the reasons behind changes in demographics.

CFOB Looking to Reach Atikokan

CFOB could be broadcasting back into the town of Atikokan this summer.

It's owners, Northwoods Broadcasting, is seeking government approval to restore the signal.

Atikokan is now serviced by CKDR, our sister station in Dryden.

But company vice-president Jim McMullin says meetings with residents and businesses showed Atikokan has stronger ties with Fort Frances and would be better served by restoring the original service from CFOB.

Wait Lists Plaque Local Area

Local officials say it's better than other parts of Ontario, but area children who require mental health services are still having to wait between four to six months for services.

Troy Clink of Family and Children Services Rainy River says the fact provincial funding has increased just once in the past fifteen years hasn't helped.

"What that has done is really limited the services," says Clink, "because if you're not getting any funding increases, your not able to have as many as mental health staff available to kids which in turn creates the wait list."

As part of Children's Mental health awareness week, FACS is hosting free bowling in Atikokan and in Fort Frances later this week.

Swear Jars Set Up

The Canadian Mental Health Association wants area residents and businesses to set up "swear jars" this week.

Nancy Daley-Fulton says it's aimed to educating people how the use of certain words perpetuate the stigma associated with mental illness.

"We all commonly interject words like crazy, nuts, loony or psycho, into our everyday language as a way of explaining having a bad day or how somebody is effecting our behaviour," says Daley-Fulton. "It's just trying to make people aware of those words because they do have a detrimental effect on people with a mental illness."

The money collected will go to the Association's STEP Centre food program.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education is being celebrated in schools across northwestern Ontario.

Education Director for the Northwest District Catholic School Board Mary-Catherine Kelly says this year's theme is "Rejoicing in Hope."

"What we're trying to do is celebrate what's good about catholic education," says Kelly, "and let our public know about the distinctiveness of a faith-based catholic education school system. Each day we're going to celebrated hope in hearts, in our homes, in our schools, in our communities and in our world."

A number of events are planned in area schools.