Hyer says the message is the medium

When you're in opposition the message is more important than the result. That's how MP Bruce Hyer describes the failure of the NDP motion to cancel funding for the Harmonized Sales Tax. Hyer says as long as attention was drawn to the subject their job is done.  The Liberals sided with the Conservatives in voting down the NDP motion

Local writer finalist for literary award

A Thunder Bay writer is up for a National Award. Marion Agnew entered her short story All I Can Say in the CBC Literary Awards. She was chosen from among 6 thousand submissions to be one of 80 finalists. She calls it a wonderful honour. She says the story is about her mother and a person she knows who is deaf. Agnew is pleased they are now known to more people. Six english language winners will be announced March 18th. The top award is 6 thousand dollars.

Workers at Ka-Na-Chi-Hih now unionized

25 workers at an addiction treatment centre in Thunder Bay are now part of the Canadian Auto Workers union. The CAW says employees at Ka-Na-Chi-Hih contacted the union about numerous concerns regarding health and safety and scheduling. The centre is located on Dease Street.   It targets Aboriginal youth with holistic care that takes into consideration traditional and contemporary teachings and values.

Housing starts remain sluggish

It continues to be a slow building season in Thunder Bay. Canada Mortgage and Housing says that there were just 3 housing starts in the city last month. However spokesperson Warren Philp says there are early indications it could pick up in the spring. Figures show that we are only slightly ahead the housing starts that took place at this time last year.

Low income recycling program not quite ready

The city is still not ready to go public with a taxpayer funded plan to help low income residents with their recycling. Two years after it was first proposed to city council the wait continues. City Works manager Darrell Matson admits it was tougher to put together than they first thought.  They assumed it would simply be a matter of copying another communitys' program, but there wasn't one, so they had to create one from scratch.  The issue comes back before council April 12th.

City Council approves 2010 budget

City council has given final approval to the 2010 budget. It means a total property tax increase of 1 and 3 quarters per cent. It also means a water rate increase of about 8 per cent. City treasurer Carol Busch says the average taxpayer will have to shell out around a hundred dollars extra a year. Busch says the average homeowner will pay about 31 hundred dollars a year for taxes and water.

Gastrointestinal illness outbreak at Versa Care Thunder Bay

Visitor restrictions have been placed on Versa Care after an outbreak of Gastrointestinal illness. Officials say all admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities have also been cancelled. The health unit is encouraging anyone feeling ill to stay home to stop the spread of infections.

The body of a missing Terrace Bay man has been found

The search for a missing Terrace Bay Man has come to a tragic end. The body of 41 year old Jean Steven Giguere was found by the OPP divers yesterday. Giguere went missing after going for a walk on Lake Superior near Rossport Saturday.