Resolute Commited To Helping Workers

Resolute Forest Products says it will assist workers affected by the company's decision to idle, indefinitely, its kraft mill and a paper machine at its Fort Frances mill.

As many as 239 employees are expected to be laid-off by next February.

Spokesperson Pierre Choquette says they are hoping to mitigate the impact as best as they can.

Some employees may be eligible for early retirement packages while others may be offered employment at Resolute's other operations.

Production at the kraft mill and paper machine number 5 is expected to come to a halt by the end of this month.

Another paper machine and the biomass boiler are being maintained.

Union Disappointed By Idling

One of the unions representing workers at the Fort Frances mill is disappointed by Resolute Forest Products decision to idle, idefinitely, the kraft mill and a paper machine.

Steven Boon of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union says employees were called on many times to help keep the mill competitive.

Boon feels the cancelling of a historic agreement for pulp by Boise in International Falls was a key factor in the shutdown of the kraft mill.

More Hope Of Continued Operations

Our elected officials continue to have discussions with Resolute Forest Products regarding its future plans for the Fort Frances mill.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says company officials have told her they are working to protect both the mill's assets and outside contractors.

Campbell says no request for provincial assistance was asked at this time.

Campbell says she came away from her discussions with Resolute with some hope of a restart at a later date.

Blame Pointed At Feds For Closure Decision

Fingers are being pointed at the federal government for some of the reasons behind Resolute's closure decision.

In Ottawa, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the government's commitment to the forest industry has been less than adequate.

 Rafferty says since the Conservatives took office more than 30,000 forestry jobs have been lost in northern Ontario alone.

Infrastructure and Communities Minister Denis Lebel says any difficulties within the industry remain  market related.

Job Actions Expected In Class Today

Elementary teachers across the Rainy River district are expected to begin today a series of work-to-rule job actions to back demands for a new contract.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says it's received the no board report from a Ministry of Labour conciliator regarding its stalled negotiations with the Rainy River District School Board.

Jackie Dupuis-Brandli says blame for labour unrest is solely with the provincial government which is hamstringing local bargaining with the passage of Bill 115.

New Recycling Measures Proposed

The Progressive Conservatives say they have a better plan for recycling hazardous and electronic waste in Ontario.

They're proposing to get rid of controversial eco fees and two industry-led stewardship organizations that oversee the  recycling programs.

The Tories say they'd instead set enforceable targets for diverting waste and allow producers and importers decide for themselves how to pay for recycling those products.

First Nations Salary Disclosure Bill

The federal Conservatives are pressing ahead with a bill to force First Nations chiefs to publish their salaries and financial details.

The government is invoking closure on the bill, which essentially calls a halt to parliamentary debate and forces it to a vote.

It was prompted by Canadian Taxpayers Federation research that found more than 200 band politicians had salaries higher than that of a provincial premier.

Insurance Case Before Human Rights Tribunal

Whether an insurance company can charge more to people over the aged of 80 is the subject of an Ontario human-rights hearing starting today.

Denis Olorenshaw argues the higher premiums for older-aged drivers amounts to age discrimination.

The 92-year-old launched a complaint two years ago when a company wanted to charge him 250 dollars more than his 62-year-old daughter.

Citizen Of The Year Named

The town of Fort Frances has named its citizen of the year.

He's is Ken Christianson, a long-time assistant coach with the Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team.

Christianson will be honoured by the town officially at its annual dinner later this month.

More Details On Resolute Shutdown

More details on the number of employees at Resolute Forest Products effected by the companies decision to idle production indenfat the kraft and a paper machine at the Fort Frances mill.

In a termination notice, obtained by CFOB-News, handed out to employees yesterday, the company indicates up to 228 hourly staff, up to 20 salaried staff and up to 12 other employees will be effected.

While production is expected to come to an end by the end of this month, effected employees won't be officially laid off until the middle of February.

The notice also states the decision by the company was not an easy one to make, but it couldn't overcome the inherent challenges it faced, including the cancelling of a contract by one of its major customers.

Mill Operations Halting

Approximately 239 employees will be impacted as a result of a decision by Resolute Forest Products.

The company intents to idle indefinitely the kraft mill and paper machine number 5 at its Fort Frances mill.

The company expects to curtail operations by the end of this month, blaming market conditions.

Resolute is holding out the possibility of a restart at a later date.

It says it's exploring alternative product possibilities and will idle the mills in a way that protects the equipment.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis calls the news shocking and despressing.

Avis says company officials delivered the news to him earlier yesterday afternoon.

He's is remaining optomistic.

Avis says company officials did tell him that they're are planning to conduct studies on possible uses of the shuttered paper machine which will take at least 12 to 18 months to complete.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty calls the news devasting for the worker effected and their families.

Rafferty also spoke with company representatives and says he's received assurances the company is committed to helping affected workers during this layoff period.

Rainy River Resources Proceeding With Public Offering

Rainy River Resources has filed the necessary paperwork with regulatory authorities across Canada in connection with a recent public offering.

A deal with a syndicate of underwriters is expected to raise over $57-million for the company's exploration and development of its gold project north of Barwick.

Teachers Deals Get Liberal Blessing

File photo

Premier Dalton McGuinty says agreements between high school teachers and two southern Ontario school boards have received a thumbs-up from government.

The details of those agreements have not been released, but could serve as a pattern for negotiations elsewhere in the province, including here in the Rainy River District.

Teachers at high schools in Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan will be in a legal strike position at the end of this week.

OPP Helping Seniors In Atikokan

OPP in Atikokan are giving tips to seniors to prevent them from being scammed of their money.

They're holding a session today at the Pioneer Centre in Atikokan.

Constable Jim Davis says it's in response to a number of incidents that have happened in the community.

The session begin at 1 p.m.

Christmas Parade In International Falls Friday

International Falls Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for Christmas.

It holds its annual Christmas Parade of Light Friday night.

Executive Director Faye Whitbeck says they're still accepting entries.

Registration can be made by the calling the Chamber or through its website.

Dayton "Pardon" Turkey

It's Thanksgiving in the U.S. tomorrow, and Governor Mark Dayton has given a Minnesota turkey its walking papers.

Dayton "pardoned'' a Minnesota-grown turkey from being a main dish tomorrow.

It's part of an annual tradition in a State that produces 46 million turkeys a year, making it the nation's leading provider.

No Hockeyville For Fort Frances

A bid for have Fort Frances recognized as the next Kraft Hockeyville has been stopped.

Kraft Canada is cancelling the contest this year due to the NHL lockout and creating a new contest that offers a million dollars to minor hockey associations and recognizes volunteers.

Fort Frances resident Jonathan Glueheisen, who was preparing the town's bid, says he's disappointment by the cancellation of the Hockeyville Contest.

He is hoping to resubmit if the contest returns for 2014.

Unemployment Numbers In Koochiching County

The unemployment rate in Koochiching County has increased.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says October's rate jumped to 7 per cent from 6.6 % in September as employers shed about 150 jobs.

The rate, though, is still below both the State and National levels.

Early Wolf Hunt Ends

Nearly 150 wolves have been killed during the early season of Minnesota's first regulated wolf hunt which ended Sunday.

The Department of Natural Resources had set a limit of 200.

It did have to close hunting in the northeast section early last week when it reached the quota for that area.

A second hunting season will begin this Saturday and end at the end of January.

Rumble Strips Planned For Highway

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is agreeing to a city of International Falls request for rumble strips along sections of Highway 53

District Engineer Duane Hill told city councillors last night they've earmarked some federal dollars towards the safety measure aimed at reducing head-on car crashes

Hill says 69 kilometres of strips will be placed along the highway between International Falls and Cook.

The city asked the Department to consider installing the strips following the death of two residents in a head-on collision on Highway 53 a couple of months ago.