Campbell Brings Winter Roads Up For Debate

A proposal to have a legislative committee review winter road maintenance in Ontario will be voted on at Queen's Park next week.   Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell's proposal was postponed until April 17th.  Campbell says her concern stems from how unsafe the roads were in northwestern Ontario this winter. Campbell is critical of Transportation Minister Glen Murray whom she says has failed to take any meaningful action.

Child Porn Charges

City police say a 41-year old Thunder Bay man has turned himself in, in relation to a child pornography investigation that began in January.  On April 2nd police searched a Bernard Street home and seized a computer, flash drives and DVD's. Jason Repay is charged with possession of child pornography and appeared in court this morning. His next court date is set for May 9th.

NAN Doesn't Like Education Act

There's no question about where the Nishnawbe Aski Nation stands on the Harper government's new First Nation education legislation.   NAN is flatly rejecting it saying, among other things, it doesn't respect First Nations inherent and treaty rights nor does it respect its jurisdiction over education.  Ultimately NAN is upset that the Aboriginal Affairs minister will have total control over their education while taking none of the blame for any liability.

Students Join TBSO

Roughly 1400 local students from grades 3-6 contributed to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra's education concert Wednesday. Students sang and played their recorders from the seats of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Two concerts were held and are part of a year long Link Up program. Orchestra's in Calgary, Spain, Japan and the U.S took part.

School Board Looks At Native Language

The Ministry of Education is funding the Regional Native Language Conference in Thunder Bay.  The conference began this morning and will wrap up Friday, Spokesperson Jojo Guillet says the theme is Land, Language, Culture and Community.  The conference is being held at the Nor'Western Hotel.

T.Bay Woman Honoured

A Thunder Bay women is being recognized today for her victim services work spanning over 25-years. Roseanna Hudson of the Indian Friendship Centre is being presented the Attorney General's Victim Services Award today at Queen's Park.

Horwath Says Northerners Like Northern Reps

NDP leader Andrea Horwath believes northerners prefer to have northerners as their MPP at Queens Park. Derek Parks, the new provincial PC candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North, lives in Cambridge. Horwath note both NDP candidates in Thunder Bay are lifelong residents of the city. Horwath says northerners would like to have someone in the legislature who can understand their voice from a position of experience.

Crime Walk At City Hall Tonight

A group of community agencies are staging a crime awareness walk tonight starting at City Hall. It's part of the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.  Organizers of the walk are also hoping that it will bring attention to the services available to local victims.

Bachelor Auction Tonight

The Elekta Hope Charity Auction will be auctioning off Thunder Bay's most eligible bachelors tonight in support of breast cancer research.   All money raised in the auction will be donated to the Northern Cancer Fund.  Last year the event brought in over 101 thousand dollars.

Ring Of Fire Panel Discussion Tonight

A variety of Ring of Fire stakeholders will be discussing the project at a special meeting tonight.  The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business is hosting a panel discussion that will include the President of Noront Resources, Mayor Keith Hobbs, Bob Rae with the Matawa Tribal Council and Frank Iacoubucci representing the Province.  Council CEO JP Gladu says they hope to hash out a number of issues.  The discussion is taking place from 5 until 9 tonight at the Valhalla Inn.

Lifefest Postponed

The Chamber of Commerce's Lifefest Expo that was to take place at the end of the month is now being put off until 2015.  The Chamber had to postpone the event because of unforeseen circumstances with the renovations at the Sportsdome.

NOACC Meeting In Geraldton

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce are holding their annual general meeting in Geraldton for the next three days. Chamber representatives from across the region will also vote on a number of resolutions that if passed will become NOACC policy for the next two years.  This year's speakers list includes Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, a spokesman from the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, Premier Gold Mines, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

More Pipeline Talks

The Council of Canadians are holding public consultations throughout the province on the proposed Energy East Pipeline.  Council Chair Maude Barlow spoke at last night's meeting at the Lakehead Labour Centre and had some choice words for the Harper Government.  Barlow says that most of the oil being transported will be exported, and that it won't have a direct benefit to Canadians.  Public consultations will be held across Ontario, ending in Cornwall April 16th.