Budget Reaction Wrap Up

Thunder Bay Superior North MP Bruce Hyer hasn't decided if he will support the budget yet.  Hyer expects to have made up his mind by tonight.   Meanwhile, Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty will not support the federal budget as it stands.  Rafferty says that doesn't mean all hope is lost for the 4 million dollar Cyclotron.  Both NDP members say there will be money for the project under new governments.  The Liberal Candidate for the Thunder Bay Superior North riding is setting up his campaign headquarters.  Yves Fricot says there's not much in that fiscal document for the riding.

Wilson likes budget

Thunder Bay's Chamber of Commerce thinks there are a number of incentives in the Federal Budget that will help the economy.  President Harold Wilson says it's a steady as she goes budget, and doesn't think it warrants triggering an election.  The Opposition parties have said they won't support the budget.

Rydholm on Federal Budget

There's a lot hanging in the balance.  That's the feeling of City Councillor Linda Rydholm.  Opposition parties have said that they plan to vote down the Federal Budget and trigger an election unless changes are made to the fiscal document.  Rydholm says there's too much at stake for Thunder Bay.  The head of the Canadian Federation of Canadian Municipalities adds each MP will have to do what they think is best for their riding.  The budet includes 4 million dollars in funding to help bring a Cyclotron to the city's hospital.

NAPS weighs in on Fed. Budget

The federal budget lays out 30 million dollars for aboriginal policing. The money will be put towards two years of First Nations policing.  Nishnawbe Aski Police Chief Claude Chum says it's not much when you look at the bigger picture.  Chum says the first nations policing program has been running a defecit the last couple of years.  The budget also includes 22 million dollars over two years to help First Nations ensure fuel tanks that power their community services meet environmental safety standards.

Army Worm invasion two years away

It will be at least two more years until Northwestern Ontario is plagued with high numbers of Army Worms.  Ministry of Natural Resources Expert Taylor Scarr says the insect has a 7 to 10 year outbreak cycle. 
The last outbreak started in 2001 and ended in the summer of 2004.  Scarr says when the outbreak starts you will notice more moths gathering around traffic lights at night.

Blackhawks hopeful Sharp will return

The Chicago Blackhawks have their fingers crossed that Patrick Sharp's knee injury is not season ending. Blackhawk's radio host Judd Sirott says that's the latest from the team coach.  He says the team is hopeful he can be back by the end of the regular season.   Sirott wouldn't speculate on whether the loss of Sharp will harm the teams chances of making the playoffs.  They have 10 games remaining, three of them with the Detroit Red Wings.

Bearskin Airlines to expand

Flights from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg will be more frequent now thanks to an expansion at Bearskin Airlines. They will have a new 34 passenger plane arriving in May. Vice President Cliff Friesen says they will be able to carry more passengers. Friesen says they will make stops in Sioux Lookout and Red Lake as well.

Shipping season upon us

The new shipping season is just days away in the Port of Thunder Bay. Harbourmaster Guy Jarvis says with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway preparations will start this week. The U.S Coast Guard icebreaker Mobile Bay will be here on Thursday morning, with the locks at Sault Ste. Marie opening Friday. He says the first ship of the season should arrive on the weekend.

Herman backs calls for suspension without pay

Thunder Bay's Police Chief is backing a call for the provincial government to open up the Police Act. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police wants the government to give them the option to suspend officers without pay. Bob Herman is also the head of the OACP and says it's been an ongoing concern for them. Herman says there is a lot of community support for it. Here in Thunder Bay, Sgt. Jim Mauro has been suspended with pay until his police act hearing.

Council formed for disabled athletes

Physically disabled athletes in the city no longer have anything to worry about when it comes to being active. The Thunder Bay Accessible Sport Council will help give para-sport athletes more opportunities to get physically active. Council chair Tessa Soderberg says it will try to unite many different para-sports. The council benefits athletes by giving them resources, sharing practices and improving access to physical activity.

Police looking for missing teen

Thunder Bay Police are looking to the public for help in locating a missing teen.  17 year old Soline Whitney Sakanee hasn't been seen since Friday.  She has been known to frequent both the North and South cores.

City's Official Plan to be amended

Thunder Bay City Council is asking administration to amend the Official plan so there can be an additional lot on Melbourne Road.  Owner Terri Rizzo says they want to subdivide the property so her son can build a house and operate the gravel pit that already exists on the property.  Council wants administration to write a resolution explaining why they would allow an additional lot on Melbourne.  Councillors will still have to vote on whether or not to allow the subdivision. 

Cyclotron money rests with NDP

MP Greg Rickford says Thunder Bay's two NDP MP's may be about to put a kibosh on  4 million dollars of money towards a cyclotron for the Health Sciences Centre. The Conservative MP says the money is to be included in Tuesday's budget, but approval rests with the NDP.  Asks Rickford, "are they prepared to vote against probably one of the most significant medical advancements...in Thunder Bay in a long time?".  He says the money would be thrown into jeopardy as the result of an election call.

Hampton blames McGuinty Liberals for jury crisis

The blame for the jury selection crisis in the northwest lies with the McGuinty government according to NDP critic Howard Hampton. Jury trials are on hold until more First Nations are represented in the jury selection process. Hampton says this has been an issue since 2008.  He adds,  the government hasn't taken the problem seriously

Sharp's status unclear

The immediate future of Thunder Bay's Patrick Sharp remains uncertain today.   The talented Chicago Blackhawk suffered a knee injury in the first period of Sunday's game against Phoenix.  The team isn't saying anything right now only that the injury is being examined.   Sharp is having a career year with 34 goals and some are saying the severity of damage to his knee will determine the severity of damage to the Blackhawks Stanley Cup hopes

Autopsy held in Toronto underway

OPP continue to investigate the death of an 11 year old Big Trout Lake First Nation girl. The young girl was reported missing in Sioux Lookout on Friday night and was later found on the property of Sacred Heart School early Saturday morning. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronouced dead. A post mortem exam is scheduled for today in Toronto. The name of the deceased is not being released.

Adam Leon's legal saga not over yet

Thunder Bay's Adam Leon is back in Canada. He's the one time Confederation College student who caused an international sensation after being arrested for flying a Cessna into American airspace in 2009.   Police say the RCMP escorted him back after his time in a Missouri jail.  He will appear in court via video in Thunder Bay on Wednesday on theft charges.

LU expert says Gadhafi remains cunning

The pressure continues on Moammar Gadhafi. Coalition forces continue to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. Lakehead University political science expert Laure Paquette says Ghadafi may be using his own people as human shields in the battle. Paquette says we should watch how well the rebels take advantage of the protection they are getting. She fears if Ghadafi is brought down, there could be a complete collapse of civilian order

Two fires, no injuries

Some tense moments for tenants of an apartment building on South Archibald Street. They were startled by the sound of blaring smoke alarms just before 9 a.m.. Fire officials say no one was hurt and a quick response confined damage to only one unit. One tenant told our newsroom the door to the fire escape was bolted shut and he had to kick it down to get out. A fire official says if that's the case, then charges could be pending to the owner. The property manager of the building has not returned our call.    At about the exact same time there was a garage fire in Current River.  A fire official says it took place on Surrey Street and crews had it out quickly.  No one was hurt.

Donations keep flooding in for Japan

 Thunder Bay continues to show support for the people of Japan.  The Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association held a sushi fundraiser yesterday and managed to raise 5 thousand dollars for the Red Cross.  Officials at the Red Cross say so far around 40 thousand dollars has been handed in to their office and another 10-15 thousand through online donations.