Rafferty re-elected in Thunder Bay Rainy River

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking forward to returning to his job in Ottawa.  The NDP Member of Parliament was re-elected Monday night and was excited to hear his party is forming the official Opposition Party.  Rafferty says the one dark moment on election night was the Conservatives winning a Majority Government.  Conservative Moe Comuzzi-Stehmann was the runner up in unofficial results, with Liberal Ken Boshcoff coming in third.

Harper majority, locals re-elect NDP

Stephen Harper is going to form a majority government in Canada...but Thunder Bay's two ridings will be represented in the official opposition.  Harper and his Conservatives have won a  majority with about 165 seats in parliament and the NDP rocketed into the official opposition with about 105 seats...the Liberals now rank in third with about 30 seats. Locally Bruce Hyer in Thunder Bay-Superior North and John Rafferty in Thunder Bay-Rainy River both have won their ridings for the NDP again with about 50 per cent of the votes while the Kenora riding stays Conservative with Greg Rickford holding the seat.

Council upset over heritage building repairs

Some City Councillors were shocked to find they would have to pay to repair the exterior of the Whalen Building.  The city is on the hook for repairing the Terra Cotta exterior because they own the heritage building.  Councillor Rebecca Johnson doesn't think they should restore the building when there's other more important projects.  Council approved a million dollar contract with KGS Group Consulting Engineers dealing with the Whalen Building's repairs.

CEDC provides update to City Council

Thunder Bay's Economic Development Commission is taking credit for creating several jobs within the City. CEO Steve Demmings says they created 133 direct jobs and 55 indirect jobs.  The CEDC told council Monday night that their goal for this year is to foster the mining industry.  The CEDC also plans to announce in six weeks time who will be hired as the City's Mining Coordinator.

Grand Marais station to open soon

Boaters take note.    The American inspection station at Grand Marais will be open in less than two weeks.   The station will open May 15th and remain open 7 days a week until September 30th from 9 until 5 pm Central Time.

Election day is finally here!

It's election day and the polls in Thunder Bay will be open until 9:30 tonight.   There are close to 60 thousand eligible voters in both area ridings, Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River.   There are over 420 polls in both ridings.    The Giant will have news reports on election results after the polls are closed.

Company takes new FORM

A well known Thunder Bay architectural company is changing it's name. Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo are announcing FORM Architecture Engineering as their new name. Among other buildings, they are most noted for the construction of La Verendrye High School and the George Jeffrey Children's Centre.

No election break for councillors

It's business as usual at city hall tonight.   In spite of the federal election, city councillors will be holding a regular meeting this evening.   One of the items on the agenda is the contract for sidewalk and street lighting worth 1.3 million dollars. As well a decision is expected on some exterior work on the ceramic facing of the Whalen Building on Cumberland Street, the home of Thunder Bay Hydro.

Man and woman busted for cocaine

Two 23 year olds in the city are due back in court May 25th on drug charges. Police say that the man and woman were arrested over the weekend on outstanding warrants. As part of the arrest they seized close to 58 thousand dollars worth of cocaine. They face possession and trafficking charges.

Bombardier says talks continue over streetcar contract

There is no indication from Bombardier Transportation that a contract that involves the Toronto Transit Commission will have to be delayed.   A report says that the TTC is requesting Bombardier put off the production of the new streetcars at the Thunder Bay plant.  However Bombardier spokesperson Marc Laforge says the work has not started and says the terms of the contract with  Metrolinx, the province's transportation arm, are still being negotiated. 

New OMA President from Thunder Bay

A Thunder Bay Doctor is now the leader of the Ontario Medical Association.  Doctor Stewart Kennedy was chosen as the 130th president of the OMA.  Kennedy has been a family Physician in Thunder Bay for more than 25 years.