Thunder Bay Superior North candidates let loose

It was a marked contrast to the Thunder Bay Atikokan debate from Monday night when the 4 candidates for the North riding slugged it out at the Community Auditorium.  Incumbent Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle found himself under attack early on a number of issues, from the economy to mining.  PC Candidate Anthony Leblanc repeatedly said the Liberals have forgotten the North and its time for a change to a government that cares about the North.  NDP Candidate Steve Mantis says the Liberal government has failed to provide proper consultation with First Nations Communities in matters like mining and the far north act.  Green Party Candidate Scott Kyle says tackling the drug problem needs to start with Pharmaceutical companies.  Other issues that were discussed included education, health care, injured workers and economic development. 

Fire Season still on

The fire season is slowly starting to wind down in northwestern Ontario.  There are still 38 blazes listed as active today.  Five are under control and two other are being held.  The other 31 are being observed, with no active fire activity noted.  In the meantime, fire crews are starting to pack up their gear, including hose lines and bring it back to their respective fire bases in the region.  With the recent warm weather, the fire hazard has climbed into the moderate range across the region.

Mill parts up for sale

An auction of equipment from the former Atikokan Forest Products Mill is expected to go today.  A company had expressed interest in buying the mill, but was unable to secure a wood supply from the province.  The mill, which has been shuttered for the past three years, was placed into receivership at the beginning of the year.

Northern Transmission Line

Providing badly needed clean power to First Nation communities in the Far North.  That is the purpose of a new partnership between New Osnaburgh First Nation and Saugeen First Nation.  The two have formed Sagatay Transmission L.P. to move forward with a new power line from Ignace to Pickle Lake.  The 250-million dollar, 300-kilometre line is the first phase in a two-phase project that needs to be signed-off by the Ontario Power Authority.  The agreement will ensure treaty rights and the traditional way of life will be protected and that jobs and investment will be created.  The proposed project will follow along Highway 599 and will ensure that environmental and social impacts are minimized.

KI First Nation upset with mining company

Its like deja-vu all over again for the Big Trout Lake First Nation.  The band is upset that the mining company God's Lake Resources has started some exploration work in K.I.'s traditional land use area. Band Spokesperson John Cutfeet says the Provincial Government continues to ignore concerns.  Cutfeet says to add insult to injury, the exploration work is being done on an old burial site.

Healthy Provincial Candidates

The Heart and Stroke Foundation says health care needs to become a bigger election issue.  Spokesperson Wendy Savoy says they have talked to all the candidates in Northwestern Ontario and says the main party's support their proposals to create a healthier population.  Savoy says their proposals include more healthier food education, and more funding for physical education in the schools.

College home to international students

Confederation College has 63 international students taking part in their courses this year.  Spokesperson Miriam Wall says they hail from sixteen different countries including  Brazil, China, India, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. Wall notes most of the students are taking the aerospace engineering program.

NAN working with Feds on governance model

Nishnawbe Aski Nation continues to work with the Federal Government on forming a First Nation's government model.  NAN Spokesperson Ben Cheechoo says talks should pick up now that there's a Majority Federal Government.  Cheechoo says it will take years to implement a government model for First Nations.

Joint meeting between F.W. and T.Bay

A joint meeting is being held between Fort William First Nation and City Council.  City Manager Tim Commisso says they're going to make joint council meetings a regular occurance.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday night at the First Nation's Community Centre.

City departments merge

Changes are on the way for several city departments.  The City's Emergency Services department will also look after Fire and the Superior North Emergency Medical Service.  Transportation and Works will merge with the Parks Department.

RFDA food drive this weekend

The Regional Food Distribution Association is holding it's annual food drive this weekend. Executive Director Volker Kromm says once again all the local grocery stores are participating and the goal is to gather 15 tons of food

Thunder Bay Atikokan Debate is civil

The three main party candidates duked it out at the Community Auditorium.  All three candidates lobbed a number of barba at each other over a number of topics.  Incumbent Liberal MPP Bill Mauro was the most vocal, attacking his opposition over a number of issues, including the Ring of Fire development, roads, taxes and transparency.  PC Candidate Fred Gilbert lobbed a number of bombs at Mauro over, hydro rates, the green energy act, and debt servicing levels.  NDP Candidate Mary Kozorys remained relatively silent but did attack Mauro over unemployment levels and spoke up over funding levels for long term care beds in North Western Ontario.

Hay talks about master fire plan

Thunder Bay's Fire Chief updated Council and the public about some of the upcoming issues facing the department.  Chief John Hay says they will be consulting the public about the possibility of relocating the Brown Street Station to the area of Neebing Avenue and Rosslyn Road. Other priorities include increasing staff levels and rebuilding the Neebing Fire Station. The Chief's speech was a first report and the master fire plan will be examined more closely in November.

Rebate program approved for seniors

Good news for low income seniors.  City Council has approved a 100 dollar rebate program for seniors tax and water bills.  Councillor Iain Angus says the program will help protect our vulnerable population. Angus notes it's a lot cheaper to have seniors stay in their own homes than move into a home.  Over 200 thousand dollars is being put towards the rebate program.  Eligable seniors would receive 100 dollar rebate for their tax and water bill.

Crime plan comes to Council

Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council is working on implementing some of the strategies in their prevention plan.  Chair Wendy Landry admits it's not a cure all.  Speaking at last night's City Council meeting, Acting Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sheila Hendrick says they've already started to work towards some of their goals.  Hendrick says part of her job will be to ensure the plan is implemented.

BISNO talks concussions

Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario wants the public to be better educated about concussions. That's why they brought in Dr. Charles Tator to speak at their conference this week. Tator feels the general public need to learn more about the signs of a concussion.

Drug bust in Terrace Bay

Twenty two thousand dollars worth of marijuana is off the streets after grow op was busted in Terrace Bay.  Officers arrested a 44 year old man after searching a house in Terrace Bay and found the grow op. 

Council looking for answers from candidates

City Council is sending a letter of questions to all the candidates in the upcoming provincial election.  Mayor Keith Hobbs says council wants to hear what the candidates think on a number of issue and has sent out a letter.  Hobbs says the biggest concern of council is the issue of an industrial hydro rate. 

Waterfront sculpture unveiled

The latest piece of Art destined for the Waterfront is ready to be installed.  "Traveller's Return" by Andy Davies was unveiled recently in Lethbridge, Alberta and Davies says the sculpture is being shipped to Thunder Bay.
The sculpture was selected after a nation wide bidding process.

Debate set to go

The election rhetoric is likely to heat up tonight at the Community Auditorium. It's the first of two debates for local candidates in the October 6th provincial election. Tonight it will be the candidates in Thunder Bay-Atikokan squaring off, taking questions from the media panel which includes our Vic Krasowski along with questions from the audience. It begins at 7 o'clock