More Snow Clearing Improvements Coming

Transportation Minister Glen Murray continues to fight off criticism that snow clearing on northern highways is below standard.  In the legislature Murray said northern municipal leaders he has spoken to are happy with the 50 snowplows that have been added to the fleet and that more changes will be coming next season to improve highway snow clearing.  Murray says municipal leaders tell him winter road maintenance in the north is now "remarkable".

Tourism Organizations set to go

It won't be long now before the provincial government officially announces the formation of 13 new tourism regions. The Regional Tourism Organizations will effectively kill the three regions we now have in the northwest and bundle them into one. Tourism Minister Michael Chan tells The Giant News it should be announced within a month. Chan says no decision has been made on where the announcement might take place



 

Tourism Minister calls child's death devastating

This weeks tragedy at Fort William Historical Park has the attention of Ontario's Tourism Minister. In an exclusive interview with The Giant News, Michael Chan calls the death of 4 year old Willow Scott-Hannam devastating. She was struck by a horse drawn wagon Monday on a school field trip and later died of her injuries.  Chan is calling on the city to pull together and grieve together and come out of the situation stronger. He says he's being kept up to date on the investigations and his staff are in touch with Fort officials almost on an hourly basis. Chan expects lessons will be learned from the tragedy.

Dorion solar project gets approval

A hydro developer in Dorion is one of over 500 successful applicants in the province that have been given approval to go ahead with green energy projects . Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle says Neil Johanson, of Cyntech Corporation, will be allowed to build a solar facility to generate 250 kilowatts of electricity. Gravelle says the hydro produced will be sold back to the power grid.