Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Mauro talks economic update

MPP Bill Mauro says despite the global financial problems the provincial government should still meet their budget goals.  Mauro says Wednesday's Economic Update from the Finance Minster warns of tough times ahead but the books should still be balanced by the 2017-18 budget.

Happy to have 87 back

There's lots of positive comments coming from Thunder Bay hockey fans to the return of Sidney Crosby to the NHL.  Those we spoke to were happy about it.

Beardy: NAN is already transparent

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is stopping short of saying he supports new First Nations legislation.  The Harper government plans to introduce a law to force First Nations to release officials salaries. Stan Beardy says NAN has always been accountable adding NAN publishes an annual audit anyone can see.

Matawa says Webequie can do what it wants

The CEO of the Matawa First Nations says the Webequie First Nation is fully within its right to act independently on the Ring of Fire. David Achneepineskum says the organization fully backs the stand taken by Webequie to speak on the chromite project on its own.  Achneepineskum says each community has the authority within Matawa to develop their own community position.

Standoff ends in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay police have taken a person into custody in connection to today's standoff on Northern Avenue.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says investigators made contact with the person early this afternoon and he was taken into custody at Victoriaville Mall.  Adams says at this time no charges have been laid in connection to this morning's Mac's Mart Robbery.  He says officers searched the man's house and found a number of items including a replica handgun.

Webequie goes rogue

There appears to be a crack in the solidarity within the Matawa First Nations. Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation says Matawa doesn't speak for his community on the Ring of Fire.  He says his people have concerns about Matawa's approach and he's standing by them. The comments by Chief Wabasse come a couple weeks after Matawa said all nine of its chiefs pulled their support for the chromite project

LUSU fails tuition cut plan

Lakehead University's Student Union is giving the McGuinty Government's promised tuition cuts a failing grade. The governmnet promised to cut college and university tuition fees by 30 per cent starting Jan. 1st. President Michael Snoddon also takes issue with the fact that all students aren't eligable for the tuition fee reduction.


Terrace Bay Pulp downtime

Terrace Bay's Pulp Mill will be closed for three months starting November 30th.  Mayor Mike King hopes market conditions will improve during the down time.  The mill will be conducting some maintenance work inside the mill during the downtime.

Global Sticks Reaction

The Provincial Government has given Oliver Paipoonge's Global Sticks millions of dollars in start up funds and now can no longer keep it's doors open. We asked residents if they think the Provincial Government should continue to subsidize business.






Police playing wait and see game

Thunder Bay Police have surrounded a house on Northern Avenue as they attempt to speak with the suspect in this morning's armed robbery of a Mac's Convenience Store.  The home in the 800 block of Northern Avenue is now the focus of the investigation.  Police are asking the public to avoid the area around Northern Avenue west of May Street until the situation is resolved.